Every one of Mikimoto’s cultured pearl strand necklaces is a labour of love that is born from the secret of the sea. Creating one of these strands take unbelievable skill, decision and artistry. This voyage begins with a severe selection procedure, selecting for any jewelry piece only the very best quality pearls.
100 years ago
Over 100 years ago, Kokichi Mikimoto thrived in generating the world’s first “cultured pearl”. His pursuit for excellence and his love for pure, as well as lustrous gems were the guiding principles that formed the house of Mikimoto.
Cultured pearls
Cultured pearls come in an assortment of qualities. Only the very best of these pearls can become mikimoto pearls. Always trust only a reputable jeweller who is an authorized Mikimoto dealer, when you are buying pearl jewelry.
Assortment of qualities
Cultured Pearls come in an assortment of qualities. Only the finest pearls from around the world are intended to become Mikimoto gems. Always depend on a trustworthy jeweller – such as an official Mikimoto dealer – when buying pearls.
Strict grading standards
As the creator of Cultured Pearls, Mikimoto keeps the finest quality grading standards. Each pearl gathered is as specific as a person’s fingerprint. Here are the 5 factors used to assess quality.
Surface imperfections
Delicate blemishes as well as tiny marks are part of a pearl’s normal texture as well as proof of its honest beginning. These imperfections are caused when particles of the sea drift into the oyster and bush up against the pearl as it is forming. Fewer surface imperfections signify a very high quality, and more valuable the pearl.
Shapes
Of the many shapes that are available, the rarest are the perfectly round pearls and these are the most valuable. With Mikimoto’ South Sea cultured pearls; exclusive shapes like a tear drop, button, oval and baroque are very popular.
Rare shade
Pearls vary widely in color based on the type of oyster produced them, the rarer the shade, the more valuable in the pearl. Colours range from pink, cream to grey; to black, green and blue. White as well as pink rose are amid the most popular Akoya color; gold and peacock green are amount the rarest of the South Sea colours. While color choice is just a matter of personal preference, always look for colours that are rich, and evenly distributed throughout the pearl.