| Who is Mikimoto? | | | | of necklace, which hangs just below the collar |
| When thinking of an Akoya cultured pearl | | | | bone |
| necklace, pearl admirers know that Mikimoto | | | | - Matinee (22 - 24 inches) is designed to give a |
| Kokichi is widely considered the father of modern | | | | more dramatic effect, hanging just over a blouse |
| pearl jewelry. Born in Mie prefecture, Japan, to an | | | | or dress with a clean line top |
| udon noodle shop owner, Mikimoto had humble | | | | - Opera (30 - 32 inches) gives a more dramatic |
| beginnings. It is thought that while Mikimoto was | | | | effect than the Matinee. This length also lends |
| working as a teenager selling vegetables to help | | | | itself to be worn as a double strand by simply |
| support his family, he first noticed pearls as divers | | | | crossing it back over the neck. This length is |
| would unload their treasures by the docks. | | | | generally reserved for more formal occasions |
| In 1888, to address the overharvesting of the | | | | Grading |
| pearl producing oysters near his home, Mikimoto | | | | Conceivably, each jeweler can have their own |
| and his wife, Ume, began in earnest trying to | | | | grading scale, e.g. A - D, AAAAA to A, or triple A |
| cultivate pearls. After many setbacks, Mikimoto | | | | to A. However, the Mikimoto grading scale is |
| was able to create a hemispherical, cultured pearl | | | | characterized as follows: |
| in 1893. Three years later, he introduced the half | | | | - Triple A: superior, mirror-like luster and blemish |
| spherical pearls at an exposition in Norway. | | | | free |
| However, it was not until 1916 and receiving a | | | | - AA: excellent luster and only slight blemishes |
| patent that Mikimoto was able to produce round | | | | - A+: very good luster and only slight blemishes |
| pearls. To further expand, he later purchased the | | | | - A: good luster and only slight blemishes |
| rights to the Mise-Niskikawa method of producing | | | | NOTE: Sub-grades are A1, A+1, AA1 and AAA1, |
| round pearls, which had been a competing | | | | where "1" means the surface has slight blemishes |
| technique introduced around 1907. | | | | Avoiding Mikimoto Imitations |
| However, probably his most lasting impact on the | | | | Since Mikimoto pearl strands have become so |
| modern cultured pearl, is perfecting the technique | | | | popular, it is unfortunate that imitations of their |
| of using round nuclei cut from American | | | | Akoya cultured pearl necklace do exist. However, |
| freshwater mussels. This method has been an | | | | there are a few things that you can do to avoid |
| industry production standard for cultured pearl | | | | imitations: |
| necklaces for the past 90 years. | | | | - Look for the Mikimoto trademark, an oyster |
| What to Know When Buying | | | | shell with an "M" inside, found on the back of the |
| Mikimoto once was quoted as saying his dream | | | | clasp. This trademark authenticates the piece. If |
| was "to adorn the necks of all the women of the | | | | the clasp is missing, it might not be possible to |
| world with pearls." He has come close. With | | | | authenticate the pearl strand as Mikimoto |
| inspiration drawn from his classic Akoya cultured | | | | Alternatives |
| pearl necklace, pearl producers have replicated it | | | | As noted earlier, the classic Mikimoto Akoya |
| many times over around the world. Although a | | | | cultured pearl strand has been a standard. |
| Mikimoto pearl strand can be purchased in varying | | | | However, other places in Japan and China are also |
| sizes and qualities, Mikimoto pearl strands are | | | | able to produce high-quality, Akoya cultured pearl |
| known to have good luster and thick nacre. | | | | strands. While there is a deserved, perceived |
| Additional characteristics include: | | | | quality in Mikimoto Akoya cultured pearl strands, |
| Lengths | | | | non-Mikimoto branded cultured pearl necklaces of |
| - Choker (16 inches) which emphasizes the | | | | high quality can be purchased for a fraction of the |
| neckline | | | | cost. |
| - Princess (18 inches) is the most common length | | | | |