Vintage Mikimoto Pearl Yellow Gold Chalcedony Bead Long Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:36.8 g
- Dimensions:Length: 32 in (812.8 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Holland, PA
- Reference Number:
Mikimoto
Born to a noodle-shop owner, Japanese jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto (1858–1954) worked in the seafood business before shifting his focus to pearl cultivation. In 1893, he successfully developed the world’s first cultured pearls with a semispherical specimen. His further experimentation would include black and white South Sea pearls. This development gave Mikimoto a supply of what had once been a notoriously rare natural element and earned him the nickname “The Pearl King.” As he once said, “My dream is to adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls.”
In 1899 in Tokyo’s Ginza district, Mikimoto opened his first, eponymous store in a white-stone building reminiscent of the color of pearls. He quickly earned a reputation for dazzling designs that blended Japanese craftsmanship and European influence. Mikimoto sent his jewelers to Europe to study the latest trends in jewelry and design; they brought back knowledge of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, which were incorporated into designs featuring Mikimoto’s pearls.
But Mikimoto’s creations were not met with enthusiasm by all. In 1921, a London newspaper called the designer’s jewelry “only imitations of real pearls” and claimed the company was “misleading” its customers. It developed into a lawsuit in the French courts, which ruled in Mikimoto’s favor, and raised the jeweler’s global profile. He also brought his work international acclaim through exhibitions and world’s fairs, including the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia where he unveiled a replica of the Liberty Bell covered with pearls. In 1927, Mikimoto met with Thomas Edison, who gave the jeweler’s invention probably its best compliment: “It is one of the wonders of the world that you were able to culture pearls. . . . This isn’t a cultured pearl, it’s a real pearl.”
Following World War II, Mikimoto opened stores around the world, with locations now in Paris, New York City, Los Angeles and Shanghai. Though its founder died in 1954, the Mikimoto company has continued to build on the legacy he established, producing collections of pearl necklaces and other pearl-centric jewelry that span a wide range of styles. In 2017, the brand reopened its flagship Tokyo store, tapping architect Hiroshi Naito to design a new glittering facade whose 40,000 tiny glass plates are meant to evoke the movement of the ocean as they catch the light. The place where Mikimoto had his legendary success over a century ago is now known as Mikimoto Pearl Island and includes a museum on his life and pearls. A highlight is the “Boss’s Necklace,” which was the first made by Mikimoto and is the model for all the brand’s classic strands that have followed.
Find Mikimoto pendant necklaces, choker necklaces and a range of other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Holland, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Cartier Hematite Bead Diamond Chalcedony Long Yellow Gold NecklaceBy CartierLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Diamond Hematite Bead Chalcedony Leaf Design Stones Necklace by Cartier. With 1 strand of Hematite beads Each approx 9mm in size 10 round brilliant cut diamonds VS1 ...Category
1990s French Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsChalcedony, Diamond, Hematite, Yellow Gold
- Angela Cummings Hematite Bead Yellow Gold NecklaceBy Angela CummingsLocated in Holland, PAAngela Cummings 18k yellow gold hematite 38" long bead necklace. With 1 strand of Hematite beads Each bead is approximately 8mm in size Can be worn sing...Category
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsHematite, Yellow Gold
- Mikimoto Diamond Double Strand 8mm Cultured Pearl Yellow Gold NecklaceBy MikimotoLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Diamond Double Strand 8mm Cultured Pearl Necklace by Mikimoto. The Authentic Mikimoto Double Strand Pearl Necklace...Category
1990s Japanese Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
- Tiffany & Co Angela Cummings Mother Of Pearl Bead Torsade Inlaid NecklaceBy Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.Located in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Bead Torsade Inlaid Necklace by Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. With 408 Mother Of Pearl Beads each approximately 6...Category
Vintage 1970s American Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Yellow Gold
- Bulgari Lucea Yellow Gold Long Chain Pearl NecklaceBy BulgariLocated in Holland, PAThe Bulgari Bvlgari Lucea 18k Yellow Gold 34" 7mm Pearl Necklace showcases a sleek design with lustrous 7mm pearls. Crafted in exquisite 18k yellow...Category
20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Mikimoto Stained Glass Window Yellow Gold Pendant NecklaceBy MikimotoLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Stained Glass Window Pendant Necklace by Mikimoto. With Beautiful Stained Glass Window Pendant Details: Length: 22" Pendant: 20mm x 53mm Weight: 11 grams Stamped Ha...Category
1990s Asian Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Estate Mikimoto 7.5-8.0 mm Pearl Yellow Gold Beaded Strand Necklace 36InchesBy MikimotoLocated in New York, NYWeight: 68.0 Grams Stone: Pearl (7.5-8.0 mm) Length: 36 Inches Hallmark: M 750 ITEM #: BR-1067-101023-06Category
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Lavender Chalcedony Bead Graduated Sweetie Necklace in Yellow GoldBy Susana LangLocated in London, GBHand made using 9 carat Yellow Gold, the suspended Lavender Chalcedony beads are threaded together with a solid gold wire and graduated onto a delicate 1.7 mm cable chain. The lovely soft lilac centre bead is 12 mm in size, 10mm the two following, 8 mm the next, 6 mm the last one, with a little 3 mm yellow gold ball to finish it off. It hangs at about 15 inches. Part of our Sweetie Collection emulating edible candy jewellery...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsChalcedony, Yellow Gold
- Chalcedony, 22 Karat Gold and South Sea Pearl Beaded NecklaceBy Deborah Lockhart PhillipsLocated in Nantucket, MAThis is actually two separate necklaces, both with tumbled and faceted chalcedony beads (great color), and 22K gold beads with fine granulation work...Category
Late 20th Century Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsChalcedony, South Sea Pearl, 22k Gold
- Alex Jona Amethyst Chalcedony Yellow Gold Soutoir Long NecklaceBy Alex JonaLocated in Torino, ITAlex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold, amethyst and chalcedony soutoir long necklace. Dimensions: L 55in/140cm, W 0.30in/7.6mm. Alex Jona jewels ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Chalcedony, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Long Chalcedony Iolite Baroque Pearl Necklace 46 InchesBy Harbor DiamondsLocated in New York, NYOne strand of Lolite beads with alternating Chalcedony and Baroque Pearls measuring 46 inches long. Can double around the neck! Baroque Pearl measure approximately 25 MM Chalcedony...Category
2010s Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsChalcedony, Iolite, Pearl
- Chanel Pearl Bead Yellow Gold NecklaceBy ChanelLocated in Feasterville, PAA fabulous Chanel necklace featuring 18k yellow gold beads contrasting with pearls. The necklace has a length of 15" and the pearls measure 7mm. Inventory ID: 0000536Category
Early 2000s Choker Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace Is a Rare and Alluring Find
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?
A Mini Romance Plays Out on the Dial of This Van Cleef and Arpels Watch
The tiny lovers inch closer together by the hour and minute until they finally embrace on a world-famous bridge.