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 Graduated Baroque Pearl Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in London, GB
Slightly Graduated Baroque Pearl Necklace With 18ct White Gold Clasp by Mikimoto. Cultured pearls from 15.2 to 10.2 mms , length 45 cm. Hallmarks for London Date: unknown, weight: ...
Pearl, White 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
$96,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto 18K White Gold Graduated South Sea Pearl Strand Diamond Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
Mikimoto 18K White Gold Graduated South Sea Pearl Strand Diamond Necklace A rare and important creation by Mikimoto, this necklace is a special-order piece showcasing the brand’s ma...
Pearl, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Necklace with Sterling Silver Clasp
By Mikimoto
Located in Fairfield, CT
Vintage Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Necklace with Sterling Silver Clasp This vintage Mikimoto necklace features a graduated strand of cultured Akoya pearls with a soft white body ...
Sterling Silver
Mikimoto 18K White Gold Akoya Pearl Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mikimoto necklace features a graduated strand of creamy white cultured Akoya pearls with bright luster and soft silvery overtones. The pearls are individually knotted an...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mikimoto Classic 7-7.5mm AAA Pearl Strand Opera 32" Necklace 18k Gold Clasp
By Mikimoto
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- 105 Genuine Cultured Pearls - Round Shape - White w/ Pink Overtone - AAA - 7-7.5mm (approx.) 1 Genuine Cultured Pearl - Round Shape - White w/ Pink Overtone - On Clasp ...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto 18K White Gold Akoya Pearl Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
This classic Mikimoto necklace features a graduated strand of creamy white Akoya pearls with soft luster and subtle silvery overtones. The pearls are individually knotted and finishe...
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Freshwater Pearl Strand Pearl Necklace With 14k Gold Closure circa 1960s
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This exquisite freshwater pearl strand necklace with a 14k gold closure circa the 1960s is a timeless piece that embodies classic elegance and vintage charm. The necklace features lu...
Mikimoto Pearl Necklace Pearl Bracelet Set Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Mikimoto Pearl Necklace Pearl Bracelet Set Sterling Silver You will treasure this outstanding authentic Vintage MIKIMOTO Sterling silver pearl...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
