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.
Vintage Blue Lagoon Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 14K Gold Shell Clasp 17.5”
Located in Addison, TX
Details Designer: Blue Lagoon by Mikimoto Pearl Type: Cultured Akoya Pearls Number of Pearls: 54 Pearl Size: Approx. 5.5mm Pearl Shape: Round Luster: High Clasp Metal: Solid 14...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Mikimoto Blue Lagoon 14K Yellow Gold Pearl Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
Crafted by Mikimoto, this elegant pearl necklace features lustrous, perfectly matched pearls, expertly strung and secured with a 14k yellow gold ribbed clasp. The "BL" hallmark signi...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,495
H 0.26 in W 0.26 in L 23.51 in
Vintage Mikimoto Blue Lagoon 14K Yellow Gold Pearl Beaded Strand Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
Crafted by Mikimoto, this elegant pearl necklace features lustrous, perfectly matched pearls, expertly strung and secured with a 14k yellow gold ribbed clasp. The "BL" hallmark signi...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
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 2002 PLEASE REVIEW OUR 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR HAPPY CLIENTS PLEASE SEE ATTACHED MIKIMOTO CERTIFICATE AND APPRAISAL FOR DETAILS Mikimoto New York 730 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10019 FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING DETAILS Stone: Fine Quality Japanese Akoya Pearl Pearl Shape: Round Pearl Color: Pink/White Surface: Clean Luster: Good Quality: A+ No. of Pearls: 87 Measurements: 9 - 9.5 mm Metal Color: Yellow Length: 34 Inches Material: 18k Yellow Gold This is a magnificent and elegant Estate Mikimoto Cultured Akoya pearl necklace that has been appraised and authenticated by Mikimoto in New York This Rare Glamorous necklace will be shipped with its Certificate of Authenticity and Replacement Value from Mikimoto in New York. A true investment piece of jewelry that will be cherished for generations to come. Purchase this glamorous piece of jewelry at a fraction of its true realistic cost at a Mikimoto Boutique. A true statement piece, a showstopper! This necklace is luxury at its finest. It is truly elegant and beautiful. This Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl necklace is amazing and has beautiful high luster with thick nacre as you can see from the pictures. The Mikimoto clasp...
Pearl, 18k Gold
MIKIMOTO Akoya Pearl Diamond 18K Gold Double Strand Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in 台東区, JP
An elegant Akoya pearl and diamond necklace by renowned Japanese jeweler MIKIMOTO, crafted in 18K gold. The necklace features two beautifully matched strands of lustrous Akoya pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Pearl Necklace Mikimoto Akoya Pearl 18 Karat Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Japanese saltwater cultured Akoya pearl necklace with 18-karat yellow gold clasp from luxury jewelry Maison, Mikimoto, circa 21st century, Japan. This stand, with beautif...
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Mikimoto Baroque South Sea Pearl Gold Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Stamford, CT
Mikimoto Baroque South Sea Pearl Gold Necklace. 25 baroque pearls with a Mikimoto round 18k white gold ball clasp. 18.50 inches long. 25 south sea ...
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,320Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.28 in L 18 in
Mikimoto Japanese Akoya Pearl Strand Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant and timeless Mikimoto pearl strand necklace features a stunning collection of fifty-seven high-quality Japanese Akoya cultured pearls, each showcasing the exceptional lu...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$11,908Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.3 in L 17 in
Mikimoto 8mm Golden Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Strand Estate Fine Jewelry
By Mikimoto
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant Mikimoto cultured Akoya pearl necklace finished with a 18k yellow gold clasp (circa 2003). 8mm cultured Akoya pearls are individually knotted. The pearls are lustrous and s...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Regal Elegance 7.4mm Pearl Necklace
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Metal Type: Clasp is 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 33.5 grams Pearl Details Measurement: 7.4mm, Pinkish Luster, AAA Quality Diamond Details: .02ct, F...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Graduating Pearl Necklace
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1960s Item Details: Metal Type: [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 18.7g Pearl: Cultured, Whiteish Pink Luster, 8mm graduating down to 4mm Measurement: . 17 Inches Condition: Exc...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s 18K Yellow Gold Jade, Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1980s Item Details: Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 131.0g Diamond Details: Weight: 2.50ct Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G Clarity: VS Each jade oval...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Edwardian GIA Natural Saltwater Pearl Necklace & Sapphire Clasp VHK#965
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Edwardian GIA Natural Saltwater Pearl Necklace & Sapphire Clasp VHK#965 Item Details: Metal Type: 14K White Gold Clasp [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 8.5 grams Clasp has ...
Estate Victorian 1880s Antique 18K Yellow Gold and Pearl Unique Link Chain
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Victorian 1880s Antique 18K Yellow Gold and Pearl Unique Link Chain - VHK#816a Item Details: Year: 1880S Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 12.8 gra...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K MIKIMOTO Yellow Gold Pearl Bracelet with Ribbon Clasp - VHK#7
By Mikimoto
Located in Hicksville, NY
18K MIKIMOTO Yellow Gold Pearl Bracelet with Ribbon Clasp - VHK#7 Item Details: Year: 1990s Metal Type: Clasp is 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 12.6 grams (All Ite...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
