MIKIMOTO

MIKIMOTO History

The World's First Cultured Pearl

Kokichi Mikimoto was born on January 25, 1858 in the town of Toba on Japan's Shima Peninsula. Dedicated to protecting and propagating stocks of native akoya oysters depleted by over-harvesting of natural pearls, Kokichi Mikimoto became fascinated with the possibility of producing cultured pearls. After severe financial hardships and innumerable setbacks including devastating red algae blooms, Kokichi Mikimoto became the first in the world to successfully culture a semi-spherical pearl on July 11, 1893. 

MIKIMOTO style : A Fusion of Quality and Design

Aiming to develop original jewelry designs and production techniques combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship and European finesse, Kokichi Mikimoto dispatched colleagues on fact-finding missions to Europe. In 1907, he established the MIKIMOTO Gold Work Factory, Japan's first factory dedicated to the design and manufacture of jewelry. Aiming to create one-of-a-kind items of impeccable quality, every step of the process, from procurement through design, manufacturing and sales, was systematically integrated - an approach that remains important to MIKIMOTO today. 

Yaguruma Sash Clip

Exhibited at the 1937 World Exposition in Paris, this multifunctional sash clip could be used in 12 different configurations. Intricately decorated with calibre settings and finished with millegrain beading, the refined design and exquisite craftsmanship of this unique piece was the ultimate example of the distinctive MIKIMOTO style of the 1930s.

This multi-strand pearl necklace, featuring the face of pop icon Hello Kitty, is one of 20 new pieces in the new Mikimoto x Hello Kitty collection, which launches in January 2014.

Mikimoto x Hello Kitty silver bangle with an Akoya cultured pearl nestled in the outline of the cat’s iconic bow.

With its perfect three-colour graduation, Mikimoto's Sun & Clouds pearl necklace is an incredible piece of jewellery.

This design can be doubled up as a choker or worn sautoir-style. Taking its inspiration from nature, the warm golden glow of the sun is mimicked by the placement of yellow diamonds around each pearl, while the white and grey pearls represent the clouds, which darken gradually as they travel away from the sun. The necklace is fastened by a diamond-encrusted clasp and will also be presented with a pair of matching earrings.