$49,600Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 18k Gold Certified
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 34" 18k Gold 9.5 mm Certified $126,000 M126000 Estate Mikimoto 87 Pearls LARGE 9.5 mm 34 Inches 18 KT Yellow Gold Clasp TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 20...
Pearl, 18k Gold
$28,760Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" 18k Y Gold 10 mm Certified
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Magnificent and Very Rare Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" 18k Y Gold 10 mm Certified $106,000 M106000 Estate Mikimoto 43 Pearls LARGE 10 mm 18 Inches 18 KT Yellow Gold Cla...
Pearl, Gold
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 4.65 mm M280 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 3 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls 4.65 MM and h...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6 mm 4.89 gr M186 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 3 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls in size ...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 5 mm M288 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 5 Akoya Cultured Pe...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6.74 mm M303 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 7 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls 6.7...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 4.5 mm M270 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 8 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size from 4.5 mm wi...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 5.50 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 5.50 mm M337 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 19 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls.
Pearl, Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks 7.45 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks 7.45 mm Silver M293 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver and have 2 Akoya Cultured Pearls.
Pearl, Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 5.85 mm M302 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 5 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls 5.8...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 7.40 mm M285 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 6 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size from 6.10-7.4...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 5.05 mm M279 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 3 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size from 5.30 - 5...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$207Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 7.50 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7.50 mm M400 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver and have 2 Akoya Culture...
Pearl, Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 16" Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Authentic Mikimoto necklace is in wonderful estate condition!
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 7.5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7.50 mm M401 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver have 2 Akoya Cultured Pe...
Pearl, Silver
$143Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Tie Bar Sterling Silver 6.35 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Tie Bar Sterling Silver 6.35 mm M386 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie bar is made of sterling silver and has 1 Akoya Cultured Pearl...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 6.15 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 6.15 mm M402 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver have 2 Akoya Cultured Pe...
Pearl, Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Leaf Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Leaf Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 4.5 mm M296 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 5 Akoya Cult...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$236Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Leaf Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Leaf Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6.65 mm M297 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 1 Akoya Cul...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mm M342 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 4 Akoya Cultu...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 6 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 6 mm M387 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver and have 2 Akoya Cultured P...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$1,992Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Double Strand Bracelet 14k Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Double Strand Bracelet 6.5" 14k Gold 5.5 mm M308 Double Strand Bracelet This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Japanese Akoya pearl bracelet i...
Pearl, 14k Gold
$159Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.40-5.30 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Authentic Mikimoto Silver Pin/Brooch is in wonderful estate condition!
Pearl, Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks 7 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7 mm M411 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver, have 2 Akoya Cultured...
Pearl, Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks 7 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7 mm M412 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver, have 2 Akoya Cultured...
Pearl, Silver
$236Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.20 mm Sterling Silver Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.20 mm Sterling Silver Estate M458 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 6 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls in size...
Sterling Silver
$239Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Pin Brooch Sterling Silver 7.47 Gr 5.50 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Pin Brooch Sterling Silver 7.47 Gr 5.50 mm M164 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 13 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size ...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6 mm M335 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 10 Akoya ...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver 6.7 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver 6.7 mm M392 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver and have 2 Akoya Cul...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks 6.5 mm Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks 6.5 mm Sterling Silver M311 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver and have 2 Akoya Cul...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$392Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6.16 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6.16 mm M321 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 1 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls 6.1...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$151Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Tie Bar Sterling Silver 5.91 Grams
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Tie Bar Sterling Silver 6.73 mm 5.91 Grams M172 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie bar is made of sterling silver and has 1 Akoya Cul...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$119Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip Silver 7.15 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip Silver 7.15 mm M396 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie clip is made of sterling silver and has 1 Akoya Cultured Pearl i...
Pearl, Silver
$392Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cross Brooch Sterling Silver 4 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cross Brooch Sterling Silver 4 mm M320 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 5 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size from 4 mm.
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$552Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Earrings 14k Y Gold 6.44 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Earrings 14k Y Gold 6.44 mm M393 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl earrings are made of 14 karat yellow gold and have 4 Akoya Cultured ...
Pearl, Gold
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Sterling Silver 6.50 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Authentic Mikimoto necklace is in wonderful estate condition!
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 16" Sterling Silver 6.75 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Authentic Mikimoto necklace is in wonderful estate condition!
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$312Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cross Brooch Sterling Silver 4 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cross Brooch Sterling Silver 4 mm M379 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 5 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size from 4 mm.
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Floral Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Floral Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mm M385 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 4 Akoya Cultured...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$159Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip 7 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip Silver 7 mm M413 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie clip is made of sterling silver and has 1 Akoya Cultured Pearl in s...
Pearl, Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Circular Flower Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Authentic Mikimoto Silver Pin/Brooch is in wonderful estate condition!
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin 5-7 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 5-7 mm 5.1 Grams M410 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 5 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls rang...
Pearl, Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin 2.5-6 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 2.5-6 mm 7 Grams M408 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 12 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ran...
Pearl, Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 6.10 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Authentic Mikimoto Silver Pin/Brooch is in wonderful estate condition!
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Clip-on Earrings Sterling Silver 6.19 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Clip-On Earrings Sterling Silver 6.19 mm 3.20 Grams M435 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl clip-on earrings are made of sterling silver...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$239Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Earrings Sterling Silver 5.75 mm 4.5 Grams
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Earrings Sterling Silver 5.75 mm 4.5 Grams M253 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl earrings are made of sterling silver and have 8 Akoya...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Clip on Earrings Sterling Silver 3.53 Grams
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Clip On Earrings Sterling Silver 6 mm 3.53 Grams M173 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl clip-on earrings are made of sterling silver an...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya + Mother of Pearl Cufflinks 5.2 mm Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya + Mother of Pearl Cufflinks 5.2 mm Sterling Silver M381 TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS!
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$159Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip 7 mm Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip 7 mm Sterling Silver M316 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie clip is made of sterling silver and has 1 Akoya Cultured P...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$3,112Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Sterling Silver 8 - 8.5 mm Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Sterling Silver 8 - 8.5 mm Estate M441 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl necklace is made of Japanese Akoya pearls with ...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 6 mm 5.24 Grams Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 6 mm 5.24 Grams M439 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 5 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$159Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip 5 mm Sterling Silver Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip 5 mm Sterling Silver Estate M453 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie clip is made of sterling silver and has 3 Akoya ...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$552Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Earrings 14k YG 6 mm 3.4 Grams
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Earrings 14k YG 6 mm 3.4 Grams M363 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl earrings are made of 14 karat yellow gold and have 2 Akoya Cultur...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$312Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 6.8 mm Estate 8 Grams
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 6.8 mm Estate 8 Grams M443 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 9 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Men's Tie Clasp Silver 7 mm 5.3 Grams
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Men's Tie Clasp Silver 7 mm 5.3 Grams M242 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie bar is made of sterling silver and has 1 Akoya Cultured...
Pearl, Silver
$279Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks + Tie Pin Set Sterling Silver 7.20 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks + Tie Pin Set Sterling Silver 7.20 mm M384 These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl cufflinks are made of sterling silver and have 3...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$319Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Diamond Tie Pin 18k Y Gold 0.05 Carat
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Diamond Tie Pin 18k Y Gold 0.05 Ct 7.20 mm M292 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl tie bar is made of gold and has 1 Akoya Cultured Pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
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.
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.