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

A pear cut and a round brilliant laboratory grown diamond set side by side on a band that crosses over itself beneath them. Two different shapes, close in size, leaning slightly into each other. This is the oldest form of engagement ring there is, made with stones that do not match on purpose.

At a glance

• Centre stones: One pear cut and one round brilliant 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 crossover bypass 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 predates the solitaire by more than a century. Napoleon proposed to Josephine with one. A pair of stones says something a single stone cannot, which is why the style has never entirely gone away.

Why a pear and a round

Matched stones make a symmetrical ring, and symmetry is not the point here. A pear leans, a round does not, so the two sit in a relationship rather than a row. The pear also carries the eye up the finger while the round holds the centre, which keeps a two stone ring from looking wide.

The band crosses, it does not butt

The two ends of the shank pass each other underneath the stones instead of meeting head on. That is what lets the diamonds sit at their own angles, and it is why the ring has no obvious front or back when you turn it.

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, which suits its history, 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.

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 ends of the band are shaped to pass cleanly, and each stone is set separately because neither sits at the same angle as the other. The tip of the pear is covered by a full claw rather than left exposed. 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 gap where the two stones meet and along the crossover beneath. 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 stone is slightly larger, and we will do that instead at no extra charge if you tell us when you order.

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, a pear with an emerald cut, a marquise with a round, all work in this setting. Tell us what you want and we will lay it out before we start.

Will a wedding band sit flush? Not quite, because the band crosses over. A shaped band follows the line, and we will make one to match if you ask.

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

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