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 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
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 Multi-Row Akoya Pearl 18K Gold Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding timeless elegance, this sophisticated Mikimoto necklace showcases a meticulous arrangement of lustrous Akoya cultured pearls. The design features a multi-row composition, exp...
Pearl, 18k 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
Mikimoto Silver White Baroque South Sea Cultured Pearl Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Stamford, CT
Mikimoto baroque south sea cultured pearl necklace with long silver white high lustre pearls with beautiful blue overtones and 18k white gold hammered...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mikimoto 18k Yellow Gold Pearl Beaded Strand Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Mikimoto cultured pearl necklace featuring lustrous, well-matched pearls secured with an ornate 18K yellow gold clasp. The strand displays the classic Mikimoto glow, with p...
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Strand Necklace 18K
By Mikimoto
Located in Honolulu, HI
Each of Mikimoto's cultured pearl strands are a work of art born from the mystery of the sea. Creation of these strands requires incredible skill, judgment and craftsmanship. The jou...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto 18k Yellow Gold Pearl Strand Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
This necklace is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a strand of Mikimoto cultured pearls. The pearls display smooth surfaces, consistent luster, and soft iridescence, while the ...
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Triple Strand Akoya Pearl Diamond Necklace in 18K Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant and timeless triple-strand Akoya pearl necklace by Mikimoto, crafted with beautifully graduated natural Akoya pearls measuring approximately 3.3 mm to 7.6 mm. The necklace f...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
