Intertwined love: the story of a century-old ring

Quintessence of Belle Époque elegance, this "Toi & Moi" ring in two-tone 14-carat gold, dating from around 1900, features the harmonious Wedding band of an old-cut diamond and its counterpart, a radiant pearl. A symbol of intertwined destinies, this piece is enhanced by a cascade of ten single-cut diamonds set along its entwined band. A sublime Dutch creation, it embodies love and romance, a true celebration of unity and the fashion of its era.

On this Belle Époque "Toi & Moi" engagement ring in two-tone 14-carat gold dating from 1900, an old-cut diamond and a pearl are set side by side, as if Cupid had seized two united souls and joined them between the two tapered ends of a shank set with ten brilliant-cut diamonds. With this jewel on your finger, you have every reason to marry the one your heart has chosen.

Antique jewelry object group: ring "Toi & Moi"

Condition: excellent condition
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Country of origin: Although it bears no legible control mark, we believe it is of Dutch origin.

Style: Belle Époque - The Belle Époque is a period in European social history that began at the end of the 19th century and lasted until the First World War. Taking place during the era of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the "Belle Époque" was named retrospectively, when it began to be regarded as a "golden age." The great European powers, new technologies improved life, and commercial arts adapted Renaissance and 18th-century styles to modern forms. In the United States, newly wealthy and emerging from the Panic of 1873, this comparable period was nicknamed the Gilded Age. In the United Kingdom, this era overlaps the end of what is called the Victorian era and the period known as the Edwardian era. For more information on styles

Style specifics: The Belle Époque (in French "Belle Époque") is a period of European social history that began at the end of the 19th century after the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and lasted until the First World War (1914-1918).

Taking place during the era of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the "Belle Époque" was named retrospectively, when it began to be seen as a "golden age": the great European powers and new technologies improved life, and commercial arts adapted Renaissance and 18th-century styles to modern forms.

In the newly wealthy United States, following the Panic of 1873, this comparable era was called the "Gilded Age." In the United Kingdom, this period coincides with the end of the Victorian era and the so-called "Edwardian era."

During the Belle Époque, coal and cheap labor contributed to the cult of the orchid and allowed the perfection of fruits grown under glass, while the apparatus of state dinners extended to the upper classes; champagne was perfected during the Belle Époque. Exotic feathers and furs played a greater role than ever in fashion, with haute couture being invented in Paris, the center of the Belle Époque, where fashion began to evolve according to an annual cycle; in Paris, restaurants like Maxim's reached new splendor and prestige as venues for the rich to parade, and the Opéra Garnier devoted immense spaces to staircases, similar venues for spectacle.

After the middle of the century, railways connected all the major cities of Europe to spa resorts like Biarritz and Deauville; their carriages were strictly divided into first and second class, but the richest began to order private carriages, exclusivity being the mark of opulent luxury. The bohemian lifestyle acquired a different glamour, practiced in the cabarets of Montmartre.

Period: around 1900
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Source of inspiration: love and romance

Theme: Ring Toi & Moi - The French call this shape of ring "Toi & Moi" which means "Toi & Moi".

Material: 14-carat two-tone gold (yellow and white)
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Additional information: Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April and, in addition to being the most popular gemstone for engagement rings, it is also the anniversary gemstone for the 10th and 60th wedding anniversaries.

Although diamond is the hardest of all gemstones known to man, its composition is the simplest: it is made of ordinary carbon. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to Earth. Some even claimed they were the tears of the gods, crystallized lightning, or hardened dew drops. The exact origin of diamonds remained a mystery for centuries.

In ancient times, only kings wore diamonds, symbolizing strength, courage, and invincibility. Over the centuries, the diamond acquired its unique status as the ultimate gift of love. It was said that Cupid's arrows were adorned with diamonds, whose magic was unmatched.

But it was only in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, that the tradition of diamond engagement rings began. The very reason why a woman wears it on the third finger of her left hand goes back to the Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger of the left hand.

Diamonds: An old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of about 0.38 ct. (approximate color and clarity: G/H, si/i) and ten single cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with a total estimated weight of about 0.20 ct.
Note: All diamond weights, color grades, and clarity are approximate as the stones have not been removed from their settings to preserve the integrity of the mounting.

Total diamond weight: approximately 0.58 ct.

Gemstones: One pearl
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Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and pearl for June.
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Hallmarks: None found.
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Weight: 2.70 grams (1.74 dwt)

Continental ring size: 52 and 16½, US size 6, UK size: L

Resizing: Free resizing, but due to the way the ring is made, we cannot guarantee to make it in all sizes; please ask in advance (only for extreme resizing, we have to charge).
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