The Laings Journal
Mikimoto pearls reflect the purity of the ocean and the mystery of creation. From the very start of their story the inventor of cultured pearls, Kokichi Mikimoto, was on a relentless quest for perfection, with a dream to “adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls”.
Let’s find out more about the rulers of the pearl world…
The Very Beginning
It was in 1878 that Mikimoto was first inspired to change the pearl industry when he was asked to judge an exhibition of pearls in Japan. All around him he saw misshapen or un-developed pearls being sold. As a true perfectionist he quickly became disturbed by the industry’s greed and disregard for quality and he was determined to change the world of pearls for the better.
In 1893, after a huge amount of research and experimentation he was successful in creating the world’s first semi-spherical pearl. He wasn’t finished yet though and continued his pursuit of perfection. In 1905 he cultured a perfectly round pearl and changed how they were viewed and worn forevermore.
From there he went from strength to strength, opening his first store in Tokyo in 1899, followed by a Pearl Store in London in 1913. He established a Gold Work Factory and was recognised by the Emperor as one of the 10 greatest Japanese inventors.
How Are Mikimoto Pearls Formed?
Culturing a pearl is a process that requires a huge amount of dedication. The oyster bed is a natural habitat that must be painstakingly nurtured before a pearl can even be conceived. The process of creating a precious, lustrous pearl starts with a core. In natural pearls this is simply a fragment of shell, fishbone or sand that floats into the shell of an oyster and both natural and cultured pearls are formed when a foreign object enters the oyster. The oyster then coats it with thousands of layers of nacre and this is what forms pearls.
What Makes a Mikimoto Pearl Special?
Pearls are evaluated on five factors:
- Lustre
- Surface
- Perfection
- Colour
- Shape
- Size
Using the five factors above, they select the finest pearls and only the top 5% will be accepted. In 1932 Kokichi even shovelled inferior pearls into a fire to demonstrate his unwavering dedication to quality.
What It Means to Wear Mikimoto
To wear Mikimoto is to know that you are adorned with the finest cultured pearls in the world. Known as the ‘Pearl King’ Mikimoto certainly lives up to his name.
A Mikimoto woman lives a lifestyle outlined by beauty, elegance and grace. The rulers of the pearl world are also known for their exquisite jewellery designs and an array of timeless, and also contemporary, creations play host to the enchanting gems. Kokichi combined Japanese craftsmanship with European finesse, creating the Mikimoto Style. Distinctive and unique his jewellery is now adored all over the world.
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