Mikimoto Yellow Gold Pin Brooch Angel Pearl Motif
About the Item
- Creator:
- Period:2010-
- Date of Manufacture:-
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1721117020242
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Tiffany & Co. 4 Stones Yellow Gold Brooch PinBy Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYVINTAGE TIFFANY 4 STONES YELLOW GOLD BROOCH PIN. *Rare Vintage, Good condition 14k Yellow Gold 4 natural stones Weight: 13.7gr Dimension: 1.8x2.1” *Comes ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Vintage Swan Pearl Brooch in Yellow GoldLocated in New York, NY-Vintage, 1930’s -14k Yellow Gold & Pearl -Weight: 7.1gr -Dimension: 1.1”x1.2” -Sapphire: 0.03ctCategory
Vintage 1930s Brooches
- Tiffany & Co. 14k Yellow Gold Heart Pin Brooch with RubyBy Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYMint condition. Vintage 14k yellow gold Dimension: 1.2x1.3” Weight: 4.5gr Ruby stoneCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
- 14K Yellow Gold 4 Interlocking Circle Tube Brooch Pin 34mmBy UnbrandedLocated in New York, NYBrand Unbranded Type Brooch Mint condition 14K Rose gold Dimension 34mm Width 4mm Weight 15grCategory
Early 2000s Brooches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Opal BroochLocated in New York, NYVintage 14k Yellow Gold Dimension: 1.3x2.4” Stone: Opal, 17ct Weight: 20.2grCategory
Late 20th Century Brooches
- Vintage 1960's Yellow Gold Enamel Parrot BroochLocated in New York, NYVintage, 1960’s 14k Yellow Gold & Diamond & Enamel Dimension: 0.9x1.4” Weight: 10.6gr Diamonds: 0.03ct,G color, VS clarityCategory
Vintage 1960s Brooches
- Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch - Yellow Gold 18k Ribbon Bow PinBy MikimotoLocated in Greensboro, NCBrand: Mikimoto Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Akoya Pearls Size: 5mm - 5.2mm Style: Brooch Fastening Type: Hinged Pin and Whale Tail Clasp Theme: Ribbon Feature...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsPearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Mikimoto Large Giraffe Yellow Gold Pin BroochBy MikimotoLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Large Giraffe Pin Brooch by Mikimoto. Details: Measurements: 26mm x 76.5mm Weight: 16.5 grams Stamped Hallmarks: Mikimoto Logo K18 *Free ...Category
Vintage 1980s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin 14k GoldBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin 14k Gold 6 mm M273 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto 14k Gold brooch has 3 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging ...Category
1990s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsPearl, 14k Gold
- Mikimoto Diamond Pearl Yellow Gold BroochBy MikimotoLocated in New York, NYThis adorable pearl and diamond brooch from Mikimoto is the epitome of stylish charm. Set in 18k yellow gold. Refine your lifestyle. Measurements: 1.06" (27mm) width, 1.61" (41mm) le...Category
Vintage 1940s Unknown Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1950s Mikimoto Pearl Yellow Gold BroochBy MikimotoLocated in Los Angeles, CAMikimoto Cultured Pearl and Yellow Gold Brooch, circa 1950. SPECIFICATIONS: PEARLS: Cultured Pearls from 3.4mm to 7.6mm. METAL: 14K yellow gold WEIGHT: 10.7 grams. DIMENSION...Category
Vintage 1950s Modern Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch, Yellow Gold 14k Leaf Swirl Botanical PinBy MikimotoLocated in Greensboro, NCBrand: Mikimoto Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Genuine Akoya Pearls Diameter Range: 5.5mm - 7.7mm Style: Brooch Fastening Type: Hinged Pin and Whale Tail Bullet...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Yellow Gold