The ‘Toi et Moi’ snake ring, in rose gold and white gold
In 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte presented Joséphine de Beauharnais with a ‘Toi et Moi’ ring, featuring two stones set facing each other on an open band. Forty-three years later, Prince Albert chose a serpent design for Queen Victoria’s engagement ring. This unsigned ring brings these two stories together. Its open band, crafted from 18-carat rose gold, is finished with two stylised snake heads in 18-carat white gold, facing one another. The pavé setting of round diamonds totals 0.12 ct. Offered as a pre-owned piece, it retains a modern design and a delicate scale, intended for everyday wear.
Architecture and jewellery craftsmanship
The flat, mirror-polished rose gold body forms an open band. On each shoulder, a row of grain-set diamonds runs along the top of the metal, within a band of white gold that forms the snake’s back. It leads to a domed, teardrop-shaped head, set with round diamonds and mounted on a white gold base. The two heads face each other without touching, on either side of the opening. The contrast between the two shades of gold makes the white of the diamonds stand out against the rose gold of the metal. On the finger, the pavé-set heads catch the light, whilst the smooth body remains discreet when worn with a wedding ring.
Why choose this second-hand ring
A pavé setting is set stone by stone, and this workshop craftsmanship accounts for a significant portion of the price of a new creation. The second-hand market offers access to this craftsmanship—in 18-carat gold and diamonds—for a fraction of the cost of a new ring. The open design and slender band mean it can be worn on its own or stacked with a plain band or an engagement ring. The serpent motif, a feature of jewellery since the 19th century, remains recognisable without being ostentatious.
Contents and condition
The inside of the band is marked ‘G750’, which corresponds to 18-carat gold, and ‘D0.12ct’, indicating the weight of the diamonds. The ring is size 54, and resizing is available on request from our jeweller. Our craftsman has polished it and checked each setting before it went on sale. It is delivered in a The Swiss Collector box.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this ring, which is covered by a 12-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and in-store collection, or fully secure international delivery.
* Refurbished – The piece has been polished and inspected by our master jeweller, who has restored it to its original lustre.
