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.
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
Dm 0.24 in L 16.74 in
Mikimoto Cultured Akoya Pearl Double Strand 18k Gold Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
Elevate your collection with this exquisite vintage double strand necklace by the legendary house of Mikimoto. Renowned for their uncompromising standards, this piece showcases a sop...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
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 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
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto A+ 6.5mm Akoya Pearl Strand Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
Mikimoto A+ 6.5mm Akoya Pearl Strand Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold A symbol of timeless elegance, this exquisite Mikimoto Akoya pearl strand necklace embodies the finest craftsmanship...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
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
$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
$25,799
W 0.95 in L 17.5 in
Mikimoto 7.57cts Diamond Four Strands Pearl 18K Gold Layered Flower Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Miami, FL
This beautiful Mikimoto necklace features four rows of lustrous 6mm wide Akoya pearls with a creamy pinkish hue, strung on silk strands for a timeless and elegant look. The centerpi...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Strand Necklace with 18 Karat Yellow Gold Clasp
By Mikimoto
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This Mikimoto Akoya cultured pearl necklace features luminous white pearls strung in a classic single 18" strand. The 5.5 - 6 mm round pearls are delicately graduated and lead to a 1...
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
【Crown Radiance】Timeless Grace Aurora Akoya Pearl Triple-Strand Necklace
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite necklace showcases three rows of perfectly round Aurora pearls, each measuring 6–7mm. With their exceptional luster and slight natural blemishes, these pearls highligh...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
【Crown Radiance】Baby Akoya Pearl Triple Strand Necklace
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite triple-strand necklace featuring Baby Akoya pearls with a rose overtone, beautifully complemented by 18k white gold and natural diamonds. The multi-layer design enhances...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
【Crown Radiance】Royal Bloom Triple-Strand Akoya Pearl Necklace with Diamonds
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
Timeless Sophistication: Triple-Strand Japanese Akoya Pearl Necklace with Diamonds This exquisite triple-strand necklace features high-luster 6.5-7mm Japanese Akoya pearls, meticulou...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
【Crown Radiance】Triple-Strand Aurora Akoya Pearl Princess Necklace
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
This refined triple-strand necklace showcases luminous Japanese Akoya pearls arranged in an elegant princess-style composition. Graduating gently from delicate to fuller pearls, the...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
【Crown Radiance】Diamond Clasp Akoya Pearl Multi-Strand Necklace
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
An opulent creation of layered Akoya pearls, designed in a multi-strand silhouette that gracefully drapes at a 70 cm length. The pearls, ranging from 6.5–7 mm to 7–7.5 mm, shimmer wi...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
【Crown Radiance】Triple-Strand Baby Akoya Pearl Necklace Diamond Knot Clasp
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Aurora Japanese BABY AKOYA pearl necklace is a rare and exceptional piece, featuring meticulously selected 3-3.5mm pearls, often referred to as “rice pearls” due to th...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
