When it comes to creating gorgeous, high-end pearl jewellery, Mikimoto secures the win. Their expertise in handcrafting breathtaking cultured pearl necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings has left them untouchable in the fine jewellery industry and women all around the globe covet their timeless pearl and diamond designs. If you’re one of them, and you’re hoping to learn more about the Japanese jewellery artisan, here’s everything you need to know about Mikimoto…
A Brief History of Mikimoto
“My dream is to adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls.” - Kokichi Mikimoto
Kokichi Mikimoto was born in the town of Toba in Japan in 1858, a home which would later spark Mikimoto’s future obsession with pearls. The town was already renowned for Ise pearls which were gathered from the nearby shores and sold at a high price, however since they were collected abundantly, it wasn’t long before Ise pearls became incredibly scarce and there was growing concerns that pearl producing oysters would become extinct. On a mission to prevent this from happening, Kokichi Mikimoto decided to try and grow his own pearls in oyster beds on Ojima Island.
After several years of experimentation, Mikimoto realised that Akoya oyster produced the best pearls and that by introducing a particle into the flesh of an oyster, it encouraged secretions of nacre, an organic-inorganic composite material which builds up to create a pearl’s lustrous finish. On July 11, 1893, Mikimoto discovered within the folds of an oyster his very first cultivated pearl that was just as worthy as a natural one. In 1905, after more than ten years of research, Mikimoto succeeded in cultivating a perfectly round pearl.
With his original mission complete, Mikimoto conjured up another: to adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls. So, in 1907 Mikimoto established the Mikimoto Gold Work Factory in the Tsukiji district of Tokyo, Japan’s first ever full-scale gold and jewellery factory. It was here that the very first Mikimoto jewellery designs were born. It wasn’t long before the Mikimoto jewellery brand was known all around the world, with cultivated pearls pairing with further precious gemstones like diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies. It’s safe to say Mikimoto’s dream of dressing the world’s women with pearls has come true.
The Mikimoto Jewellery Collections
There are a huge number of Mikimoto jewellery collections for you to explore on the C W Sellors website. One of our best-sellers is the Mikimoto Art Deco line which takes its inspiration from the shapes, colours and styles of the Roaring 20’s, a liberating time where notions of femininity and power began to unite. These pearl jewellery pieces combine art deco style plaques, beautiful Akoya pearls and sparkling diamonds to expose the energy and sophistication of the era.
We also love the Mikimoto Morning Dew jewellery collection which evokes the glistening drops of moisture found in the air at the early hours of the morning. This warming sparkle is embodied within the iridescence of the pearls found within each pendant, ring or bracelet. Similarly, the Mikimoto Pearls in Motion jewellery line provides a diverse way to wear pearl jewellery with long chain pearl necklaces and bracelets designed to be worn in a variety of ways, wrapped around you multiple times or left long and free to flow down your outfit. You can also find many of these designs within Mikimoto Gift Sets which include necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings in one beautifully wrapped package.
C W Sellors is a proud official stockist of Mikimoto jewellery. You can shop their stunning collections of pearl jewellery on our website and in our stores.
