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.
Mikimoto 6.6MM Pearl 0.30 Carat Round Diamond 18K White Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
Designer: Mikimoto Title: Mikimoto 1.00 Carat Pearl 0.30 Carat Round Brilliant G VS2 Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Cuff Bracelet Style: Cuff Metal: 18 Karat White Gold Gemstone 1: 0.3 ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Estate 18K White Gold Multicolored Pearl & Diamond Spray Hinged Cuff Bracelet
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A beautiful contemporary cuff bracelet crafted in 18 karat white gold, featuring an elegant arrangement of seven lustrous multicolored pearls in a captivating palette of golden, cham...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Floating Akoya Pearl 18K Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Pearls provide a lustrous complement to this bracelet. 18k yellow gold forms the cuff, which has varying openwork rows. Akoya pearls are strung on gold wires in these rows, giving th...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,705 / item
Cuff bracelet with pearls and diamonds in 18K Gold
By Michelle Massoura Fine Jewellery
Located in Nicosia, CY
Drawing inspiration from the rising foam in the sea, our sea foam cuff bracelet features lustrous freshwater pearls and glimmering bezel set natural diamonds. Its open design allows ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Diamond Cuff Bracelet in 18K White Gold
Located in Wan Chai District, HK
This luxurious diamond cuff bracelet is a true statement piece that will add a touch of glamour and sophistication to any outfit. Crafted from 18k white gold, the bracelet features a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Luxury Sapphire & Diamond Cuff Bracelet, 18K White Gold Flexible cuff 3.61 carat
Located in Great Neck, NY
Elegant, intricate, and beautifully articulated—this flexible 18K white gold cuff bangle captures timeless luxury with a vivid display of natural Ceylon blue sapphires totaling 2.62 ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold 85 Carats Diamond Pave Cuff Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Impressive diamond cuff bangle made with round cut diamonds paved all over the cuff's surface. Made in 18K White Gold mounted with 85.00cttw of round cut diamonds. Wrist circumfrern...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$18,190Sale Price|20% Off
W 2.17 in L 7.68 in
Contemporary Handcrafted 18K White Gold Cuff Bracelet with Pearls and Diamonds
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
A breathtaking masterpiece of contemporary fine jewelry, this magnificent statement bracelet is an extraordinary blend of organic sculpture and vibrant chromatic contrast. Beautifull...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Turquoise, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Peridot,...
Round Diamonds & Baguettes Cuff Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold - Small
By Yessayan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round Diamonds & Baguettes Cuff Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold - Small 1.08 Cts of Diamonds, G-H Color, VS-SI Clarity 10.3 Grams of 18K Yellow/White/Rose Gold Available in other size o...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Pear & Round Diamond Illusion Cuff Bracelet in 18K White & Yellow Gold, Medium
By Yessayan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pear & Round Diamond Illusion Cuff Bracelet in 18K White & Yellow Gold - Medium 1.38 Cts of Diamonds, G-H Color, VS-SI Clarity 12.1 Grams of 18K White & Yellow Gold Available in oth...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Estate 18K White Gold South Sea Pearl Diamond Cuff Bracelet 7”
Located in Winter Springs, FL
An exceptionally well-made cuff bracelet crafted in heavy 18K white gold and flush set with approximately 2.40cttw in F-H color Vs1-2 clarity round diamonds with each section being s...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Iridesse 18k Yellow Gold Golden & White Pearl Bypass Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By Iridesse
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (2) Genuine Cultured Pearls- Top Quality - Round Shape - Prong Set - White & Golden Color - Excellent Luster - 11.1mm each (approx.) Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold We...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Stunning 3.70 Carats Round Brilliant F/VS1 Diamonds Ruby Cuff Bracelet 18K Gold
By Nikabell fine Jewels
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
This stunning cuff bracelet features a vibrant natural Pear Shape ruby weighing 2.30 carats, beautifully complemented by Round Brilliant Cut diamonds totaling 1.40 carats, graded F c...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Diamond and 18k White Gold Flexible Cuff Bracelet, 1.30 Carats Total Weight
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant natural diamond bracelet has the sophisticated look of a bangle with the flexibility of a cuff bracelet! 45 sparkling round brilliant diamonds with a total weight of 1.3...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamonds Emeralds Rubies Pearls 18 Karat White Gold Cuff Bracelet
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Extraordinary 18-karat white gold bracelet, a piece of rare beauty and sophisticated craftsmanship, perfect for those seeking an exclusive and colorful accessory. This bracelet stand...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Citrine, Coral, ...
Contemporary 18K White Gold Diamond Cuff Bracelet, 0.50 Carat, New
Located in AMSTELVEEN, NH
Diamonds: 33 pieces; Weight: 0.50 carat; Cut: Brilliant; Colour: F-G; Purity: VS; Grinding quality: Very good; Jewel: Bracelet; Weight: 8.2 ounces; Diameter: 60mm; Hallmark: 18 karat...
Diamond, Gold, White Gold