Joden Girl
Baubles, Bling and Symbolic Rings
Toi et Moi… these words, written in French, translate to “you and me”. This short phrase encompasses all that a relationship between two people can be. It originated with Napoleon’s proposal to Josephine in 1796 when he presented her with a two stone ring showcasing a pear-shaped diamond and a pear-shaped sapphire. Set side by side with the gems facing opposite directions, the design was simple and the meaning was clear… one stone for you and one stone for me. It’s the ultimate symbol of unity and love.
The style has been celebrated and reinvented many times. There are countless modern interpretations that have been widely embraced, especially by younger generations seeking a non-traditional engagement ring. Today, it seems like anything can be an engagement ring. We’ve had requests for colored stones, opaque gems like moss agate, and even organics like pearls. While all of those are meaningful, beautiful choices – there’s actually a reason that most engagement rings have a diamond center (and it’s not about profit margins). Diamonds are durable; they can be worn every single day with little to no wear on the stone itself. Diamonds are a ten on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
Agates and other opaque gems rank between a 6.5 or 7.00 while pearls are just a 2.5-4.5. As you might have guessed, these stones require more care and might not be suited to daily wear. Quite honestly, unless you don’t plan to wear your ring, other than a diamond, the best choice would be a ruby or a sapphire (ranks as a 9.0 on the hardness scale). That’s exactly what makes this week’s piece an absolute rock star of non-traditional engagement rings.
Made from 18-karat yellow gold in the Victorian era, this two-stone stunner was created in a bypass style. The narrow gold band wraps around the finger with a shimmering gemstone on each end. Eight claw-like prongs hold the stones securely in place. Featuring an Old European Cut diamond and an old cut ruby, this ring is a true antique. The diamond weighs approximately .40 ct. Presenting with a bright and sparkling face, this diamond is a G in color and a SI1-2 in clarity. Snuggled up beside the diamond is a vibrant red ruby that weighs approximately .60 carat. Made over 140 years ago, this ring is in remarkable condition. The perfect symbol for any duo… a couple, a mother & daughter, sisters, or even two best friends – this ring is simple elegance. Priced at just $2,250.00, give us a call to make it yours.
“You can go to a museum and look, or you can come to us and touch.”
Written by Carrie Martin
Photos by Dana Jerpe
