| The highest quality cultured pearl necklaces are | | | | to the highest quality cultured pearls. |
| those produced and created by Mikimoto. These | | | | Buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace |
| pearls are known for their unparalleled beauty and | | | | Pearl necklaces come in several lengths. From the |
| brilliance. It is said that once you wear Mikimoto | | | | shortest to the longest, they are: collar (10"-13"), |
| pearls, any other kind of pearl will seem | | | | choker (14"-16"), princess (18"-20"), matinee |
| second-rate. Mikimoto pearls are so refined in | | | | (20"-24"), opera (28"-34") and rope (37" and |
| quality that its fans include the royal families of | | | | longer). The length of the pearl necklace will |
| Britain and Japan, Marilyn Monroe and Monaco's | | | | depend on the woman's age, body composition |
| Princess Grace. | | | | and neck size, although an 18 to 24-inch pearl |
| Here are some information on what Mikimoto | | | | necklace is a good length for anyone. Generally |
| cultured pearls are, where they came from and | | | | speaking, the longer the necklace, the more it |
| how to buy them. | | | | 'elongates' the neck. |
| How pearls are formed | | | | The mark of "M" |
| A pearl is the result of an oyster or mollusks' | | | | Every jewelry created by Mikimoto including pearl |
| reaction to an irritant that invades its shell. To try | | | | necklaces, has an "M" stamped on its setting. This |
| to protect itself, the mollusk secretes a crystalline | | | | is a guarantee of quality. However, in some cases, |
| substance called nacre which builds up in layers | | | | the mark of "M" will only guarantee that the |
| upon layers, surrounding the irritant. When this | | | | setting is genuine and not the pearls, which can be |
| happens, a pearl is born. | | | | replaced and restrung. |
| Pearls have been cultured for centuries not just in | | | | A caveat: there is a black market for Mikimoto |
| Japan, but in other countries as well. Much of the | | | | clasps, where original Mikimoto clasps are used for |
| products result to semispherical pearls, also called | | | | cheaper or imitation-quality pearls. Beware also of |
| mabe pearls from the oyster that grew them, | | | | 'closeout' Mikimoto sales, even if they come in |
| and not in the more coveted spherical pearls. It | | | | 'new' 18k gold. |
| was Kokichi Mikimoto who developed a special | | | | The best way to distinguish a true high-quality |
| technique to induce oysters to create a round | | | | Mikimoto pearl from other pearls is to look for a |
| pearl. | | | | unique road map or line pattern on the surface of |
| The man behind the name | | | | the pearls under a 10x magnifying lens. |
| Cultured pearls as we know them, owe a lot to | | | | Experienced jewelers can recognize this. On your |
| Kokichi Mikimoto, the man who perfected the | | | | own, you will want to find genuine Mikimoto pearls |
| pearl culturing method that is still used today. | | | | to compare with your intended purchase. Once |
| Contrary to popular belief, he did not invent the | | | | you see the difference, true Mikimoto pearls are |
| industry although he did play a very significant role | | | | easily recognizable. |
| in advancing the techniques which contributed to | | | | You might also encounter pearl necklaces that are |
| the improvement in cultured pearl quality. | | | | labeled 'Mikimoto quality'. This is misleading. These |
| Mikimoto, the son of a noodle restaurant owner, | | | | are not pearls produced under the patented |
| was born in 1885 in Toba City, Japan. He was first | | | | Mikimoto process. True Mikimoto pearl necklaces |
| introduced to pearls when he started raising | | | | are those produced under stringent conditions in |
| oysters. Around this time, Japan was already | | | | Ise in Honshu, Japan. |
| trading pearls with other countries and pearl | | | | Akoya vs. Mikimoto |
| oysters were in danger of becoming | | | | Another fine quality pearl is akoya pearls, although |
| over-harvested. Mikimoto decided to concentrate | | | | this is a general term used to refer to saltwater |
| on experiments in seeding oysters and producing | | | | pearls. These are not Mikimoto pearls and they |
| pearls. | | | | don't cost the same. |
| The first endeavors were failures. Mikimoto and | | | | Grading method |
| his colleagues repeatedly encountered disappointing | | | | Mikimoto pearls are rated using four grades, with |
| results, due in part to uncontrollable factors like | | | | AAA being the highest. There are 4 sub-grades |
| water temperature and red tide. But this did | | | | starting with AAA1. Highest-grade pearls are |
| nothing to dissuade Mikimoto from his dream. | | | | those with the best luster and reflective quality, |
| His efforts paid off eventually. On July 11, 1893, | | | | almost mirror-like, while lower-grade pearls are |
| with his wife Ume, he discovered a beautiful pearl | | | | those with reasonably clear reflection. |
| in one of his oysters. He never looked back since. | | | | When buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace, be |
| By the time he died in 1954, the highly honored | | | | sure to ask for grading certificates. This is not |
| Mikimoto had successfully advocated and | | | | only good for insurance, but it is also a guarantee |
| promoted cultured pearls and opened markets all | | | | that what you are paying for is a true Mikimoto |
| over the world. Today, his name is synonymous | | | | pearl necklace. |