From Napoleon to Now
A very brief history lesson first...
Napoleon’s 1796 engagement ring for Josephine is the most famous early example: a pear-cut diamond and a pear-cut sapphire, set in a simple gold mount, the two stones facing inward toward each other. It sold at auction in 2013 for €949,000. I find it endlessly interesting that one of the most emotionally resonant ring formats in history is also one of the simplest: two stones, one ring, two people.
The style fell in and out of fashion across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, but returned with force in the early 2020s. It’s now among the most-searched engagement ring styles in the UK, and I see it in enquiries regularly. People are drawn to the idea of a ring that represents both of them rather than just the stone. It is another potential way to make their ring totally unique.
The reason for the revival is partly cultural and partly practical. Two stones allow for genuine choice: a diamond and a sapphire for something classic; two coloured gems for something more personal; matched stones for symmetry, contrasting shapes for tension. There’s real creative possibility in the format.
The Satellite: From Cocktail Ring to Toi et Moi Icon
The Satellite is my most recognisable design, and its origin is not the engagement ring world at all.
Quite early in my career I was really focused on bridal: engagement rings, wedding rings, eternity rings. I had dabbled in larger stones, cocktail rings if you will, but I hadn’t made any serious movements in that direction. Then, during a visit to a retailer in Tunbridge Wells, I was challenged to create cocktail rings and advised it would make a perfect addition to what I was doing. On the train home, my pencil and sketchbook came out, and before long the Satellite cocktail concept was born.
The design principle was simple: a substantial coloured stone, orbited by a single diamond satellite at an asymmetric angle. The gap between the two, deliberate and considered, became the defining feature.
During a winter vacation in France, the Satellite evolved flawlessly into an engagement ring, which became a fitting and unexpected solution for clients wanting something beyond the conventional solitaire. The design worked precisely because the principle stayed the same: one larger centre stone, a satellite orbiting it, the gap holding the composition together rather than pulling it apart.
I’ve made Satellite rings in diamond, sapphire, ruby, pink tourmaline, emerald and more. Each combination reads differently. The diamond-only version is clean and brilliant. Coloured pairs pick up the French toi et moi spirit most directly.
One commission stands out for me. A pink tourmaline and orange sapphire Satellite in 18ct yellow gold, made for broadcaster and musician Cerys Matthews. The warmth of those stones against yellow gold is one of those combinations that looks instinctively right: bold without being heavy, individual without being odd. It captures what the Satellite does best.
The Satellite Diamond: When the Gap Becomes the Design
The Satellite Diamond engagement ring is the purest expression of my toi et moi thinking. Two round brilliant diamonds with halos, held in a setting that keeps them apart as much as it holds them together.
What separates it from a conventional two-stone ring is the orbital geometry. The smaller diamond sits lower than the larger diamond - and combined with the gap, this gives the design a truly sculptural feel. I would add that the gap - the negative space is as important as the main stone - it is empty but also crucial.
The Satellite Diamond is available in platinum from £6,550.
Theia: Two Halos, Classic Sensibility
Theia takes the two-stone principle in a quieter direction. Named after the Greek Titaness, mother of the moon and goddess of brightness, it uses a narrower, more classic band that disciplines the design.
Like the Satellite Diamond, Theia carries two halos - however they meet at the point where the stones come closest. But the overall character is less orbital, more poised. The proportions suit someone who wants a toi et moi ring with real presence that also reads as wearable every day.
Theia is available from £4,500.
The Colourways
Both the Satellite and Theia are made in platinum and 18ct yellow & rose gold. At the time of writing this article18ct white gold prices are incredibly high so we dont list them on the site - platinum is a far superior metal.
The stone combinations I offer across the Satellite and Theia collections include:
- Diamond with diamond halo : clean, maximum brilliance
- Sapphire with diamond halo: the Napoleonic original, blue against white fire
- Ruby with diamond halo: warmth against brilliance and wonderful in yellow gold
- Emerald with diamond halo: one of the most visually arresting combinations
Naturally if we started to get into clashing and complimentary colours this blog post would be too long but if you have an idea in mind for your toi et moi ring then just get in touch. Coloured stones, as with diamonds, are sourced by my team and I, they are selected for colour, brilliance, cut and provenance. We can send photographs and videos along with grading documentation should you want to see stone options.
Choosing Your Stones for a Toi et Moi Ring
The toi et moi format invites more decision-making than a solitaire. Here is what I’d encourage you to think about.
Stone shape. Matched shapes, round and round, pear and pear, read as deliberate symmetry. Mixed shapes create visual tension that can work if designed well. The Satellite and Theia settings are built around specific geometries, but if you would like to discuss alternative cuts then please make contact.
Stone balance. A large centre stone with a smaller satellite reads as a statement piece. Two stones of near-equal size read as equals. Neither is wrong; they convey different things and it is very much down to the wearer as to what they prefer.
Colour pairing. The world is your oyster here. We have tried and tested combinations but the floor is open to you should you want to explore your own combinations. for example, a cold and warm combination, white diamond with a yellow sapphire or orange spinel, tend to read beautifully in photography and under natural light. I can advise on current stone availability and which pairings work best for you, your skin and your lifestyle.
What Does a Toi et Moi Ring Cost?
My toi et moi rings are handmade in the UK and made to order. Lead time for a ring bought as shown on the website is 4 to 6 weeks. Modifications, different stone combinations, custom sizes, take longer; I will confirm a revised timeline when you discuss the specification.
| Ring | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Theia Diamond | From £4,500 | Two halos, classic band, platinum |
| Satellite Diamond | From £6,550 | Orbital geometry, two halos, platinum |
| Satellite Sapphire | From £7,600 | Diamond and sapphire, orbital geometry |
| Satellite Ruby Halo Ring | From £8,570 | Diamond and ruby, full halo to both stones |
Prices include UK VAT.
Own One
If you know what you want, the Satellite and Theia rings are available to buy directly from the website. Each has its own product page with full photography and specifications.
Handmade in the UK. Made to order in 4 to 6 weeks.
Andrew Geoghegan - Winner of Professional Jeweller Collections of the Year three years running.
Satellite Collection TheiaIf you’d like to discuss a different stone combination, metal, or any other change, get in touch via the website. I typically respond within one working day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toi et Moi Engagement Rings
What is a toi et moi ring?
A toi et moi ring is a two-stone ring in which the stones represent two people in a couple. The phrase is French for “you and me.” The design has roots in eighteenth-century jewellery, most famously Napoleon’s 1796 engagement ring for Josephine: a pear-cut diamond paired with a pear-cut sapphire.
What is the difference between a toi et moi ring and a two-stone ring?
All toi et moi rings are two-stone rings, but not all two-stone rings carry the toi et moi meaning. The distinction is in intent: toi et moi rings are designed as a symbol of two people together. In practice the terms are used interchangeably in the UK market.
Which finger does a toi et moi ring go on?
Most people wear a toi et moi engagement ring on the ring finger of the left hand. Because asymmetric designs like the Satellite work differently depending on orientation, it’s worth thinking about hand placement before ordering. I can advise on which orientation suits each design.
Can I have a toi et moi ring with coloured stones?
Yes. Both the Satellite and Theia collections are available with coloured stone options alongside diamonds, including sapphire, ruby, emerald, pink tourmaline, and spinel. Available combinations depend on the specific design and current stock. Contact me for current options.
How long does it take to make a toi et moi ring?
Rings ordered as shown on the website take 4 to 6 weeks. Modifications or changes to the standard specification will take longer; I will confirm a timeline when you discuss the details.
Does Andrew Geoghegan make toi et moi rings with custom stone combinations?
Yes. I offer made-to-order rings from the Satellite and Theia collections, with the option to discuss different stone combinations. Get in touch with your preferences and I will advise on what’s available and guide you through the process.