Emerald and Pear Cut Lab Grown Diamond Toi et Moi Ring in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

An emerald cut and a pear cut laboratory grown diamond set side by side on a plain thin band, the pear turned on its side and tucked against the long edge of the step cut. Two stones that share nothing except grade, which is the whole idea.

At a glance

• Centre stones: One emerald cut and one pear cut laboratory grown diamond
• Carat options: 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat, the combined weight of the pair
• Colour and clarity: E colour, VVS2 clarity
• Certificate: IGI, included free
• Setting: Claw set side by side on a plain round band
• Accent stones: None
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

What a toi et moi is

Two stones, one ring. The name is French for you and me, and the style is older than the solitaire by more than a century. It was how you proposed before a single diamond became the convention, and it says something a solitaire cannot: not one, but two, together.

Straight against curved

An emerald cut is all parallel lines and flat planes. A pear is a curve ending in a point. Put next to each other at the same height they argue, so the pear here is laid on its side, its long curve running against the straight flank of the step cut. The two shapes lock together instead of competing.

A band that does nothing

The shank is a plain round wire, the same width the whole way round, with no crossover, no twist and no accents. On a ring with two large stones of different shapes, that restraint is what keeps it from becoming busy.

What laboratory grown means here

A laboratory grown diamond is a diamond. It is crystallised carbon with the same cubic structure, the same 10 on the Mohs scale, the same refractive index of 2.42 and the same dispersion as a mined stone. Ours are grown by chemical vapour deposition and high pressure high temperature methods, then cut and polished by hand. This is not moissanite, not cubic zirconia and not a simulant. A gemmologist testing it will read diamond, because it is diamond.

Metals

Choose 925 sterling silver, or 10K, 14K or 18K gold in yellow, rose or white. This ring was photographed in yellow gold, but every metal is made to order and priced above. White gold is rhodium plated and will want replating every one to two years.

Every centre stone arrives IGI certified

Both diamonds are graded by IGI, the International Gemological Institute, and the certificates come with the ring at no extra charge. Each states the carat weight, the E colour grade, the VVS2 clarity grade, the measurements and the girdle inscription, and confirms in writing that the stone is laboratory grown. Since a step cut hides nothing, the E colour and VVS2 clarity matter here as much as on any ring we make.

Made to order in our own workshop

Mapple Gems is a family run workshop in Surat, India, where most of the world's diamonds are cut and polished. The two stones are set at slightly different angles so their tops finish level despite being different depths, and the tip of the pear is covered by a full claw rather than left standing proud. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush, working into the join between the two stones where they sit closest. An emerald cut has open corners and a pear has a point, so avoid knocking the ring against hard edges. Take it off for the gym, gardening and swimming.

Questions we are asked

What colour and clarity are the diamonds? Both stones are E colour and VVS2 clarity, on every metal and every carat weight.

How is the carat weight split? The 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat options are the combined weight of the two diamonds, divided evenly. Traditionally one is a little larger, and we will do that instead at no extra charge if you say so when ordering.

Is the certificate really free? Yes. IGI reports for both stones are included in the price on every variant.

Can I choose different shapes? Yes. Two ovals, an oval with a pear, a marquise with a round, all work here. Tell us what you want and we will lay it out before starting.

Will a wedding band sit flush? Yes. The band is plain and round, so a straight band meets it cleanly on either side.

Can it be resized? Yes, at the back. One or two sizes either way is straightforward.

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