Illumannations

A NOTE FROM NANCY MANN, CEO OF MANN’S JEWELERS

As 2022 wraps up, so does the 75th anniversary of Mann’s Jewelers. In this issue, we feature the final installment of our two-part series, detailing how MJ has transformed over time in Rochester. We hope you enjoy the photos from our archives and the interview my brother and I did with Mary Stone. We had a blast reminiscing as we shared so many stories about the evolution of Mann’s Jewelers throughout the years.

As I shared during our interview, everything old is new again, but sometimes with a refreshed perspective. And, while a classic solitaire engagement ring is timeless, we are currently getting many requests for two-stone engagement rings, also called Toi et Moi, which is French for “you and me.” The sentiment of the two stones is compelling, plus offers twice the sparkle. Besides their megawatt shine, two stones sitting side by side are said to symbolize two souls becoming one.

This setting style may be all the rage in 2022, but it actually has a long history. In 1796 Napoleon Bonaparte proposed with a sapphire and diamond ring, and in 1953 First Lady Jackie Kennedy debuted her two-stone stunner, featuring an emerald-cut emerald and an emerald-cut diamond. The former First Lady ultimately enhanced her ring with additional marquise and round diamonds to mimic the look of a laurel wreath.

Current day, Travis Scott recently made headlines when he presented Kylie Jenner with a significant diamond ring set with an emerald-cut diamond and a pear-shaped diamond. Not to be outdone, he had a matching ring created in a miniature version for their daughter Stormi. Instagram went crazy when the caption read, “Daddy got us matching rings” and featured the happy family in a close embrace.

Megan Fox received a distinctive sparkler from Machine Gun Kelly set with both stars’ birthstones—a pear-shaped diamond for the rock star (April) and a pear-shaped emerald (May) for the actress. What is truly unique about this ring, created by UK designer Stephen Webster, is that the gems are set on two separate bands of thorns and are attached by small magnets hidden inside the ring shanks. Together, the two bands connect to form an obscure heart shape.

Ariana Grande accepted a special and sentimental engagement ring from Dalton Gomez. The ring boasts an oval diamond set on an angle, with a small pearl offset from the diamond. Pearl is Grande’s birthstone, and the belief is the pearl in her ring came from her late grandfather’s tie pin.

Toi et Moi jewelry is easy to personalize with different stone shapes and colors and can be decidedly meaningful. We have made rings that started with a family gemstone and an additional stone, to signify the start of something new. Two diamonds of different shapes have been the most popular and are easiest to wear. We have also made Toi et Moi necklaces; it’s all about the sentiment.

So much of what we do is based on expressing emotion. We look forward to helping you create something distinctive and unique to you.