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Mikimoto. The Originator of the Cultured Pearl

“I would like to adorn the necks of all the women in the world with pearls” - Kokichi Mikimoto

Pearls are an organic gem formed from an oyster. Particles such as sand or fragments of shell get stuck inside the oyster, in order to protect itself from the irritant; the oyster secretes thousands of layers of nacre, the shiny iridescent substance that forms a pearl. Although very rare today, natural pearls have been sought after for thousands of years by people attracted to their beautiful luster. Pearls were not only desired for jewelry and clothing decoration, but they were also as a form of medicine. Pearls are made up of Calcium Carbonate the main ingredient in antacids; ancient people would crush pearls into a fine powder, mix with water and drink to quell stomach ailments.

Presently all pearls found on the market are the cultured variety. Mainly cultured in Asia, pearls can be cultured in fresh or saltwater. The first evidence of pearl cultivation can be found as far back as the thirteenth century in China, Buddhist monks would cultivate pearls in the shape of little Buddhas to adorn temples and objects of worship. It wasn’t until 1893 that pearl cultivation really took off. The catalyst of the cultured pearl revolution is a man named Kokichi Mikimoto. Because of his dedication to mastering pearl cultivation, Mikimoto has been producing the world’s top pearls for over a hundred years.

Kokichi and his wife Ume dedicated their lives to the quest of perfecting pearl cultivation. They lived on the coast of Japan by a small bay that had ideal conditions for growing oysters. Their success didn’t come easy.  After years of experimentation, failure and near financial ruin, Kokichi was ready to give up. The day he had been waiting for came July 11, 1893. Ume pulled up a bamboo oyster basket to discover that one of the oysters contained a shinning pearl.

Kokichi went on to develop the Akoya, South Sea and Black Tahitian cultured pearls. He opened up Mikimoto boutiques all over the world and became the foremost authority on luxury pearls. A grading system was developed and only the top 5% of Mikimoto pearls harvested are used in creating jewelry.

Mikimoto has become a luxury brand and household name, attracting discerning buyers with their strict grading standards and rich heritage. When purchasing a Mikimoto piece, people can be assured that they are purchasing a beautiful piece of jewelry, that if properly taken care of, can last generations. Pearls have become a symbol of love and purity, not to mention they are the birthstone for June. Whatever the occasion, pearls make a wonderful gift and a great investment.