Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 7 mm
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Silver
- Stone:Pearl
- Stone Cut:Round Cut
- Weight:6.94 g
- Place of Origin:Japan
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:1992
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:
Mikimoto
Born to a noodle-shop owner, Japanese jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto (1858–1954) worked in the seafood business before shifting his focus to pearl cultivation. In 1893, he successfully developed the world’s first cultured pearls with a semispherical specimen. His further experimentation would include black and white South Sea pearls. This development gave Mikimoto a supply of what had once been a notoriously rare natural element and earned him the nickname “The Pearl King.” As he once said, “My dream is to adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls.”
In 1899 in Tokyo’s Ginza district, Mikimoto opened his first, eponymous store in a white-stone building reminiscent of the color of pearls. He quickly earned a reputation for dazzling designs that blended Japanese craftsmanship and European influence. Mikimoto sent his jewelers to Europe to study the latest trends in jewelry and design; they brought back knowledge of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, which were incorporated into designs featuring Mikimoto’s pearls.
But Mikimoto’s creations were not met with enthusiasm by all. In 1921, a London newspaper called the designer’s jewelry “only imitations of real pearls” and claimed the company was “misleading” its customers. It developed into a lawsuit in the French courts, which ruled in Mikimoto’s favor, and raised the jeweler’s global profile. He also brought his work international acclaim through exhibitions and world’s fairs, including the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia where he unveiled a replica of the Liberty Bell covered with pearls. In 1927, Mikimoto met with Thomas Edison, who gave the jeweler’s invention probably its best compliment: “It is one of the wonders of the world that you were able to culture pearls. . . . This isn’t a cultured pearl, it’s a real pearl.”
Following World War II, Mikimoto opened stores around the world, with locations now in Paris, New York City, Los Angeles and Shanghai. Though its founder died in 1954, the Mikimoto company has continued to build on the legacy he established, producing collections of pearl necklaces and other pearl-centric jewelry that span a wide range of styles. In 2017, the brand reopened its flagship Tokyo store, tapping architect Hiroshi Naito to design a new glittering facade whose 40,000 tiny glass plates are meant to evoke the movement of the ocean as they catch the light. The place where Mikimoto had his legendary success over a century ago is now known as Mikimoto Pearl Island and includes a museum on his life and pearls. A highlight is the “Boss’s Necklace,” which was the first made by Mikimoto and is the model for all the brand’s classic strands that have followed.
Find Mikimoto pendant necklaces, choker necklaces and a range of other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 5 mmBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 5 mm M357 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 3 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls. TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 ...Category
1990s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Silver
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mmBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYAuthentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mm M342 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 4 Akoya Cultu...Category
1990s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Sterling Silver
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch SilverBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYAuthentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl Brooch 7 mm Silver M307 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silve...Category
1990s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Silver
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.80 mm SilverBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.80 mm Silver M374 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 5 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls size is 6.80 mm and has a weight of 5.4 gr...Category
1990s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Silver
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5.5 mmBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5.5 mm M322 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 4 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls and has a weight o...Category
1990s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Sterling Silver, Silver
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 6.50 mmBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 6.50 mm M372 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 5 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls 6.50 Approx. TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 P...Category
1990s Japanese Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Silver
- Mikimoto Sterling Silver Akoya Pearl Pin/Brooch #16719By MikimotoLocated in Washington Depot, CTSterling silver Akoya pearl pin by Mikimoto. Beautiful design featuring 8 pearls and a scroll ribbon accent. Ball clasp and hinge. Measures approx 1 1/8" high, 1 1/4" wide. Pearls ...Category
20th Century Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Sterling Silver
- Elegant Mikimoto Brooch Adorned with Akoya PearlsBy MikimotoLocated in Bloomington, MNElegant Mikimoto Brooch Adorned with Akoya Pearls Experience the allure of timeless elegance with this beautiful Mikimoto brooch, masterfully crafted in the warm glow of 14ky yellow...Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsPearl
- Vintage Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl and Sterling Silver Brooch or PinBy MikimotoLocated in Philadelphia, PAA very fine vintage Mikimoto Akoya cultured pearl and sterling silver brooch or pin. With graduated round white pearls set on sterling silver bouquet...Category
20th Century Japanese Modern Brooches
MaterialsCultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
- Mikimoto Modernist 14k Gold & Akoya Pearl Brooch or PinBy MikimotoLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine Japanese Modern gold & pearl brooch. By Mikimoto. In 14k gold. Set with 8 round white Akoya pearls. Signed to the reverse. Simply a wonderful Japanese modernist brooch! ...Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Modernist Brooches
MaterialsPearl, 14k Gold
- 1950s Retro Mikimoto Pearl Brooch Sterling SilverBy MikimotoLocated in Lexington, KYThis is a beautiful 1950s Retro Mikimoto pearl brooch made in sterling silver. The brooch features four, 4.50-5.50mm round pearls that are ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Retro Brooches
MaterialsPearl, Sterling Silver
- Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch - Yellow Gold 18k Ribbon Bow PinBy MikimotoLocated in Greensboro, NCBrand: Mikimoto Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Akoya Pearls Size: 5mm - 5.2mm Style: Brooch Fastening Type: Hinged Pin and Whale Tail Clasp Theme: Ribbon Feature...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsPearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold