In 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in producing the world's first cultured pearl. Since that day, MIKIMOTO continues to make history, creating its own distinctive style. The company has developed the highest standards of quality and consistency by devoting more than a century to understanding the sea and researching the oyster. Only the top 5% of the pearl harvest meets their strict quality standards. MIKIMOTO pearls are referred to as hanadama, or flower pearls, which denotes the highest quality pearls.


Olive Earrings in Yellow Gold
3.75 to 4.5mm Akoya Cultured Pearls set in 18K Yellow Gold.
$810

"I would like to adorn the necks of all the women of the world with pearls," Kokichi Mikimoto said shortly after he succeeded in culturing a perfectly round pearl. The elegant beauty of Kokichi's pearls was eventually recognized by women throughout the world, and his wish was fulfilled, as the name Mikimoto became well-known around the globe. With his instinctive sense of beauty, Kokichi devoted his life to the pearls that he loved.


Moderna 8 Black South Sea Pendant
Designed and produced in Italy using the highest quality Mikimoto cultured pearls, Moderna 8 is the perfect unity of modern and classic jewelry design. 9mm Black South Sea Cultured Pearl and 0.18ct. of Pavė Diamonds, set in 18k White Gold.
$2150

After the mid-1800s, just before the Meiji Period, Japan became deeply involved with foreign trade and its natural pearls, already regarded as precious, became more treasured than ever before. At the same time, the pearl oysters around Mikimoto's hometown of Ise-Shima were being over-harvested to a crisis point. He threw himself into the task of seeding oysters and creating pearls, and for decades, he spent every waking hour on research and experiments.


'Everything is Possible with Hope' Pendant
Inspired by the pink ribbon, the symbol for breast cancer awareness, this pendant features a 7mm, A+ quality, Akoya cultured pearl and 0.12ct. of pink sapphires and 0.03ct. of diamonds, set in 18k White Gold. It can be worn as 18-inch or 16-inch long. Mikimoto donates 20% of all proceeds from this special collection to the Young Survival Coalition.
$950

Regardless of the many complications imposed by nature, Kokichi pledged to culture his own pearls, and he had the stubborn confidence to turn mighty nature into his ally. Pearls had always been a chance product of nature, and factors such as red tides and low water temperatures led to repeated failures.

The day he had been waiting for finally came on July 11, 1893. In the company of his wife Ume, he raised one of the bamboo oyster baskets out of the water, opened one of the oysters, and inside the shell, he discovered a shining pearl. This was the first time in history that a human being had ever created a pearl.