Mikimoto Pearls

Mikimoto pearls enjoy a very prestigious reputation in the world of cultured pearl jewelry. Read on to see what makes them so special.

Mikimoto Pearls History

Mikimoto pearls are the result of one man's determination to imitate what, until then, only nature could provide.

Opening up to foreign trade brought quite a boon to Japan, but it also brought something else; a depletion of natural pearls and near extinction of the nation's clam beds. In answer to this problem, Kokichi Mikimoto set out to create pearls by seeding oysters, something no one had ever succeeded at before. Mikimoto persisted with his dream through years of trial and error, learning more about pearl development and refining his seeding techniques until at last he had created a single "cultured" pearl.

That was in 1893, and since that time, Mikimoto has fostered the development of cultured pearl farms throughout the Pacific Islands. Nearly indistinguishable from the natural pearls, his cultured pearls have set the standard for the industry. Say the name Mikimoto in jewelry circles, and voices immediately fill with tones of awe and respect.

Pearl Selection

The grading system for Mikimoto pearls is so stringent that, amazingly, less that ten percent survive the cut. Mikimoto is legendary for identically matching every pearl on any given strand, a feat not easily achieved when, by their very nature, every pearl is unique.

Let's take a closer look at how each pearl is judged.

Nacre

Nacre is the substance that forms around the original "seed" of the pearl. The thicker the nacre, the stronger the pearl, and therefore the greater its worth.

Lustre

Lustre refers to that shine, that glow that truly fine pearls give off. Lustre is directly linked to the depth of a pearl's nacre, so it's easy to understand why thicker nacre is so desirable.

Color

Classic Mikimoto pearls are a milky white, but other colors are available. No matter which color is represented, it's the uniformity of that color across the entire pearl surface that differentiates higher quality pearls from lesser ones.

Shape

The ideal shape for a standard pearl is a sphere, so it stands to reason that the most perfectly rounded pearls are the most valuable, as long as the other main qualities are well represented.

Baroque pearls are also quite popular, but since they are so irregular in shape, it doesn't require the same kind of expertise to create a strand.

Smoothness

There simply is no such thing as a perfect pearl. Each has its own flaws, no matter how imperceptible they might be. The trick is to find pearls with the smoothest surfaces, and leave the inferior ones behind.

Size

When nacre, lustre, color, shape and smoothness are all relatively equal, it's the size of the pearl that is the final determining factor of its value. In this case, bigger is definitely better.

Favorite Mikimoto Collections

Vintage

If you love the Art Deco style that was the rage in the 1920's and 1930's, Mikimoto's Vintage Collection will appeal to you. The pieces are based on some of the company's earlier designs and are a tribute to Mikimoto's foundations.

Elements of Life

Earth, wind, fire and air are the inspiration for the Mikimoto Elements of Life Collection. Tahitian, South Sea and Akoya pearls are paired with a selection of sapphires in blue, pink and yellow for a stunning effect. Whether you prefer yellow gold or white, there's something for everyone.

Pearls in Motion

Mikimoto takes the concept of floating pearls to another dimension. Imagine a pearl necklace that you can adjust to look however you'd like. The Pearls in Motion Collection allows you to do just that.

Mikimoto employs a special mechanism that allows you to slide each pearl along the length of the chain, and once you're finished with your latest creation, your pearls will remain in place. This way you can invest in a single great piece and let everyone think you have a jewelry box full.

Conclusion

Kokichi Mikimoto once had a dream that every woman in the world would wear a string of pearls around her neck. Thanks to his efforts, quality cultured pearl jewelry isn't a dream, it's a reality.