Mikimoto Vintage Akoya Pearl Drop White Gold Diamond Earrings MEQ10022ADXW
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2022
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Wilmington, DE
- 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: Wilmington, DE
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Mikimoto 18k White Gold Akoya Pearl & Diamond Stud Earrings MEQ10144ADXWBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DELadies Mikimoto earrings in 18 karat white gold. 5mm cultured Akoya pearl and diamond earrings, A+ grading, two round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 0.04 carat. JapaneseCategory
2010s Stud Earrings
- Mikimoto Twist Earring with Akoya Pearls & Diamonds MEA10016ADXWBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DEAkoya cultured pearl 7mm A+ Diamond 0.11ct 18K White Gold MEA10016ADXWCategory
2010s Drop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl
- Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Earring with Diamondin 18k White Gold MEA10229ADXWBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DE8mm Akoya cultured pearl earrings and 0.26cttw diamonds set in 18K white gold. Pearl Quality A+ MEA10229ADXWCategory
2010s Drop Earrings
MaterialsCultured Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
- Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Cluster Earrings in 18K White Gold MEQ10069AXXWBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DEMikimoto has set the style standard since 1893, when our founder Kokichi Mikimoto successfully created the world's first cultured pearls. Ever since then, Mikimoto has become synonym...Category
2010s Drop Earrings
- Mikimoto Morning Dew Akoya Cultured Pearl Earrings MEA10330ADXWBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DEWith a delicate design of gemstones and pearls, the Morning Dew collection mimics the subtle glimmer of nature's dew drops. New to the Morning Dew collection, these earrings feature ...Category
2010s Drop Earrings
- Mikimoto Akoya Pearl & Diamond Drop Earrings with 18k White Gold PEA1031DWBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DEElegance comes to life with these Mikimoto 8mm Akoya cultured pearl & Diamond drop earrings. Watch these stunning earrings shimmer when you turn your hea...Category
2010s Drop Earrings
- Akoya Pearl Diamond Gold Drop EarringsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA fanciful pair of drop earrings featuring perfectly round Akoya pearls surrounded by 1.70 carats of round cut diamonds in an 18K white gold setting. The drops are lustrous drop shap...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 18 Karat White Gold Akoya Pearl and Diamond Drop EarringsLocated in Scottsdale, AZDesigner: custom designed Material: 18K white gold Diamond: 6 baguette cut = 0.12cttw Color: G Clarity: SI1 Dimensions: earrings measure 27.25mm Weight: 8.55 gramsCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Solid White Gold Akoya Pearl Drop Earring StudsBy Wesley Kloss Fine JewelryLocated in Cleveland, OHThe Vis Viva Drop Earring is an evolving modern statement. Akoya pearls are the heart of these earrings, offering lustrous opalescent reflections in the light. Meaning “Living Force”...Category
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsCultured Pearl, 14k Gold
- Contemporary 14K White Gold Diamond and Akoya Pearl Crown Drop EarringsLocated in Lexington, KYThis is a gorgeous pair of elegant earrings in 14k white gold featuring a stunning array of diamonds and a pair of beautiful articulated Akoya pearl drops. These earrings combine the...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Mikimoto Black South Sea Pearl & Natural Diamond 18K White Gold Drop EarringsBy MikimotoLocated in Baltimore, MDMikimoto Black South Sea Pearl & Natural Diamond 18K White Gold Drop Earrings Metal: 18k white gold Weight: 3.7 grams Diamonds: Approx. 0.22 CTW round F VS natural diamonds Pearls: 9...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Drop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
- Vintage Pearl and Diamond White Gold Drop EarringsLocated in Chipping Campden, GBThese gorgeous pearl drop earrings also hold diamonds to add a little sparkle! The pearls are bright and smooth and the diamonds total approx 1carat per earring. Drop from ear: 25m...Category
Vintage 1960s British Modern Drop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, White Gold