While other brands around the world work hard to capture the alluring beauty of pearls in their designs, there’s no name as synonymous with pearl jewelry as Mikimoto. Whether you’re in the market for the perfect pearl ring for your partner or treating yourself to a pair of pearl earrings, this Japanese company has everything you could ever hope for and more. Before browsing for your dream design, take a second to learn everything there is to know about Mikimoto.
A Look Into the Origins of Mikimoto Pearls
When Kokichi Mikimoto founded his company in 1893, he had one goal in mind: to design pearl jewelry pieces that would be worn all over the globe. Growing up around Ise Pearls, a famous pearl exporter in his town, he’d had an early interest in the ocean’s natural beauties. He turned into a driven entrepreneur with one obvious passion: to open up his own pearl business.
Thanks to high demand, the natural pearls found in the sea were being harvested at an alarming rate, causing a near-extinction of the valuable oysters themselves. Inspired to keep the eternal beauty of pearl jewelry alive, Mikimoto embarked on a journey to cultivate pearls in a sustainable, protected way.
After a few years of disastrous attempts and failed experiments on the oyster farm, Mikimoto and his wife finally discovered their first successfully grown pearl. He filed the very first patent for cultured pearls in 1896, establishing his business on Ojima Island, where he spent the following decades advancing the science of pearl cultivation.
When Did Mikimoto Gain Popularity?
It didn’t take long for the brand to take the world by storm—in the following decades, news of the scientifically cultivated gemstones broke. The founder began exhibiting his pearls at the 1910 Anglo-Japanese Fair in London as well as the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Inventors, journalists, and jewelers soon took interest. By the mid-20th century, the company had gained global recognition for its excellence, craftsmanship, and consistently high standards, forever revolutionizing the jewelry industry.
Mikimoto Pearls and the “Paris Trial”
In 1921, a newspaper article claimed that Mikimoto’s cultured pearls were not real at all but rather well-done imitations. This led to a Parisian lawsuit where the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry fought to prove his pearls were fake.
The company had multiple scientists join the brand’s defense, arguing that composition-wise, there was no fundamental difference between cultured and natural pearls. A few years later, in 1924, the court ruled in favor of the company, legitimizing the use of cultured pearls in fine jewelry.
How Are Cultivated Pearls Grown?
As a pioneer in the pearl jewelry business, Mikimoto has pearl cultivation down to a science. The process begins when a small, round bead, along with a piece of mantle tissue from a donor oyster, is inserted into a carefully selected group of healthy oysters.
The batch is then placed in a net and suspended in clean, nutrient-rich salt or fresh water (depending on the type of oyster used). After a period of one to three years of monitoring, regular cleaning, and relocating, the oyster will have secreted enough layers of nacre to create the perfect iridescent pearl.
What Kinds of Pearls Does Mikimoto Cultivate?
The renowned jewelry house specializes mainly in Japanese Akoya pearls, which are cultivated in the Pinctada fucata martensii oyster. But in specific pearl jewelry designs, it cultivates other variations, including:
- Black South Sea: found in black-lipped oysters in French Polynesia, prized for black pearls and other dark hues.
- White South Sea: produced by silver-lipped oysters in Australian, Indonesian, and Burmese waters, known for larger size and fancy shapes.
- Golden South Sea: grown in oysters with a honey-gold mother-of-pearl lining from the Philippines.
- Conch: discovered in the queen conch mollusk from the Caribbean, normally results in oval-shaped pink gems.
- Melo-Melo: found in the shell of the Melo snail, this ultra-rare variety can be found in orange, brown, and tan shades
What Makes Mikimoto Pearls Special?
With over 130 years in the pearl industry, the brand has grown quite a reputation with jewelers and collectors alike. The prestige didn’t come from nowhere! Mikimoto is known for its:
Exceptionally High Quality
When it comes to pearl jewelry design, the brand has high expectations for quality. Every single intricate detail of a piece has to match standards of excellence, with only the top 5% of pearls from the harvest actually getting approved for jewelry use. This ensures a consistent aesthetic and trustworthy quality in every piece of pearl jewelry created.
Thick Nacre Layers
Did you know that it’s the outer layer of the pearl, referred to as nacre, that makes all the difference in a pearl’s brilliance and longevity? Thick mother-of-pearl (another, more ethereal name for nacre) contributes to the gem’s strength and creates a desirably radiant appearance. Thanks to the company’s carefully constructed cultivation process, each and every pearl is designed to have maximum nacre.
Unmatched Luster and Shine
The pearls in a Mikimoto pearl necklace are specifically known for having a mirror-like luster. This can be chalked up to the cold temperatures of the oyster beds and the purposefully extended time that the pearl is kept in the oyster shell.
Perfectly Round Shape
In traditional pearl jewelry, the closer to a perfect sphere a pearl is, the more valuable it is. The circular shape is notoriously rare in the wild and difficult to cultivate under human-controlled conditions. Mikimoto, however, takes pride in repeatedly cultivating near perfectly round pearls time and time again.
Vibrant and Brilliant Colors
Though the classic creamy white pearls are the most sought-after for fine pearl jewelry, Mikimoto is known for cultivating a wide rainbow of pearl colors, including pink, green, gold, black, silver, and gray. The exact shade depends on the type of oyster and region.
Amazing Craftsmanship and Designs
The company offers an astoundingly wide range of both classic and contemporary pearl jewelry designed and crafted with close attention to detail. With a timeless appeal, Mikimoto pearl necklaces and earrings are a must-have for any woman’s collection.
Mikimoto’s Unique Grading System
Every gem used in the brand’s line of pearl jewelry will have been carefully evaluated on luster, surface, color, shape, and size using this official system:
- AAA: the highest grade, must have a mirror-like reflection and little to no blemishes
- AA: second-highest grade, indicates high-quality luster and a very slightly blemished surface
- A+: second-lowest grade, represents a very good luster and slightly blemished surface
- A: lowest grade allowed, with a good luster and slightly blemished surface (notably still considered fine quality elsewhere)
Are Mikimoto Pearls Sustainably Farmed?
The brand is not willing to harm the ocean in order to produce beautiful pearl jewelry. The founder and dedicated team have worked tirelessly over the years to promote environmental sustainability in the pearl industry. From opening a research facility dedicated to pearl-related exploration and marine preservation on Tatoku Island in 1902 to more modern efforts to reach net-zero emissions for a more ecologically safe cultivation process, Mikimoto has proven its care for the earth over and over.
How to Tell if Your Pearl Jewelry is Mikimoto
Each piece from this company will feature one of two iterations of the trademark. Look for an engraved brand name or the outline of an oyster with an M inside on the metal details of the pearl jewelry design, such as the clasp, earring posts, or ring interior. Mikimoto pearl necklace strands and bracelets are also often decorated with a signature M-circle logo charm for easy identification.
Sizes of Pearls Used in Mikimoto Pearl Jewelry
The gems featured in Mikimoto pearl necklaces and rings can vary in size and most often feature:
- 5.5mm
- 6.5mm
- 7mm
- 7.5mm
- 8mm
- 8.5mm
- 9mm
- 9.5mm
- 10mm
Is the Pearl Jewelry Price Tag Worth It?
When you begin your shopping experience for pearl jewelry, you may notice that Mikimoto’s designs are generally a bit pricier than those of other cultured pearl companies. With a long history in pearl jewelry design, the refined brand embodies the highest levels of quality, rarity, and craftsmanship. If someone is looking for pearl jewelry that will last a lifetime, this is the most reputable name in the business.
No one should have to break the bank to experience the luxury of fine jewelry. If you were to ask your jewelry if the price tag on that pair of Mikimoto pearl earrings is worth it, they’d remind you that, as long as it fits within your budget, purchasing pearl jewelry from a trustworthy, historic brand is always a better move than going with something just because it’s cheaper.
Does Mikimoto Pearl Jewelry Hold Its Value?
Designer pearl jewelry is an investment. In order to get a premium resale value, you’ll want to purchase from a brand you trust.
Mikimoto pearls are known to retain value better than styles from competitors, with well-maintained pearl jewelry designs retaining anywhere from 50 to 80% of their original value. This is partially due to the rigorous pearl selection process and partially due to the exceptional handiwork in each of the pieces.
Fun fact: Certain vintage pearl jewelry designs can appreciate in value over time. If it’s kept in excellent condition and in the original packaging, the collector demand can cause the value to skyrocket.
Explore the Top Types of Alluring Mikimoto Pearl Jewelry
The pearl jewelry released by Mikimoto has been beloved for generations. As the brand continues to thrive, an increasing number of collections are released each year. Get inspiration for how to wear the most popular types of pearl jewelry and find a design you love today:
Adorn Your Neck with Elegant Mikimoto Pearl Necklaces
Women have been drawn to pearl necklaces for hundreds of years, and with Mikimoto’s timeless designs, it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re sporting a classic white pearl choker with an evening dress or a subtle diamond and pearl pendant on a dainty chain for your day-to-day, the shimmer of a pearl around your neck adds a touch of sophistication to every outfit.
Bring Luxury to Your Looks with Mikimoto Pearl Earrings
When many people think of pearl jewelry, classic single pearl stud earrings are typically what come to mind. Mikimoto pearl earrings can be found in an assortment of styles to ensure there’s a pair for every occasion.
Whatever style you’re going for, you can achieve it with a set of pearl earrings. Enjoy a subtle sparkle and shine in your everyday looks with a pair of simple pearl and blue sapphire accent earrings. Alternatively, you can make a colorful statement with the golden South Sea pearl drop earrings.
Top Pearl Earring Styles:
When it comes to Mikimoto pearl earrings styles, there are plenty of graceful designs to choose from, including:
- Studs
- Climbers
- Drops
- Huggies
- Dangles
Sport a Timeless Gem on Your Hand with Mikimoto Pearl Rings
Pearl rings are often preferred by those looking for a softer, less flashy gemstone jewelry design. With a luminous glow and iridescent shimmer, pearl rings offer understated beauty, whether it’s something traditional, like a yellow gold pearl and diamond ring, or something with a bit more flair, like the white South Sea pearl and diamond flower ring from the Cherry Blossom Collection.
Can You Propose with a Pearl Ring?
While diamond engagement rings will never go out of style, a pearl ring has become one of the premier choices for timeless bridal jewelry. If your special someone loves the look of luster on their wedding finger, ask your jeweler for help finding high-quality pearl rings to pop the question with the perfect design.
Insider tip: It should be noted that pearls rank low on the Mohs hardness scale, making them more susceptible to everyday damage and scratches. Don’t let this deter you from finding your dream jewelry—with proper handling and maintenance, your beautiful ring will endure.
If you’re looking to celebrate your 30th anniversary with a traditional gift or searching for a June birthstone present, you can’t go wrong with pearl jewelry. The designers at Mikimoto have worked tirelessly for over a century to provide the finest cultured pearls in the world. Experience the luxury you deserve with Mikimoto pearls.
