Vintage Mikimoto Graduated Akoya Pearl Strand Necklace Silver Clasp
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:12.8 g
- Dimensions:Length: 15.36 in (390 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Mona Vale, AU
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3609222353782
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: Mona Vale, Australia
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Vintage Graduating Genuine Red Coral Bead Strand Necklace Circa 1950sLocated in Mona Vale, NSWA lovely vintage Coral necklace displaying dark red to medium red tones C1950s. The necklace features 16 uniform beads at the front which then graduate to alternating large and sma...Category
20th Century Unknown Retro Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsCoral
- Beautiful Vintage Natural Carnelian Oval Shaped Bead Necklace Dark Amber ColourLocated in Mona Vale, NSWThis vintage necklace features natural Carnelian, oval shaped beads. They vary in size from the front to the back and are individually knotted. Each bead has been honed by hand a...Category
20th Century Unknown Retro Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsCarnelian
- Vintage Sterling Silver Bangle Hallmarked Birmingham 1939 Hand Engraved BraceletLocated in Mona Vale, NSWThis beautiful bangle is WWII vintage era. It is crafted in solid sterling silver and features hand engraved flower design. It was crafted in Birmingham in 1939, the very year that...Category
Vintage 1930s British Retro Bangles
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Vintage Solid Sterling Silver Gents Bracelet by Leif Jorgensen Denmark HallmarksLocated in Mona Vale, NSWThis is a Unique Piece of Danish History. Lovingly handmade in sterling silver by Leif Jorgensen of Denmark born 1957. The Gents piece features flattened curb links and measures ...Category
Vintage 1980s Danish Modern Link Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Wide Vintage Sterling Silver Wide Gate Bracelet Hallmark 1975 London Makers MarkLocated in Mona Vale, NSWThis is a classic English Gate Bracelet with Hallmarks. The piece is nice and wide with 10 rows of hinged links, some of which are individually stamped with the British ‘Lion’. It ...Category
Vintage 1970s British Retro Link Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Vintage Earth Mined Genuine Diamond Platinum Necklace Circa 1940s with ValuationLocated in Mona Vale, NSWThis vintage necklace is a stunning piece of fine jewellery, crafted in 850 platinum and featuring 20 carats of earth mined diamonds. The classic tennis style is currently on-trend...Category
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Mikimoto Cultured Akoya Pearl 20" Strand Necklace with 18 Karat Gold ClaspBy MikimotoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Mikimoto cultured Akoya pearl necklace exudes timeless elegance with its lustrous pearls and classic design. Each pearl is carefully selected for its high quality and uniformity...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Mikimoto 16" Akoya Pearl Strand Necklace with 18 Karat White Gold ClaspBy MikimotoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis gorgeous Mikimoto Akoya pearl necklace epitomizes elegance and refinement, showcasing the brand's renowned craftsmanship and the natural beauty of pearls. Each lustrous creamy p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Strand 18k Yellow Gold Clasp Necklace U80118KBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DE18" Akoya Cultured Pearl Strand Necklace 8 x 7.5mm A Grade – 18K Yellow Gold Clasp Color: Yellow Necklace: 1 Band Material: Yellow Gold Metal Stamp: 18k Stone Type: Pearl U80118KCategory
2010s Beaded Necklaces
- Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Graduated Strand Necklace G90118V1WBy MikimotoLocated in Wilmington, DEThis 18” Graduated Akoya cultured pearl strand features 9x7mm Akoya cultured pearls with a Mikimoto signature clasp in 18K white gold. G90118V1WCategory
2010s Chain Necklaces
MaterialsCultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Vintage 1970s Mikimoto Pearl Strand NecklaceBy MikimotoLocated in Atlanta, GACirca: 1970 Metal Type: 14K yellow gold Weight: 20.6 grams Length: 17.5 inches Origin: JapanCategory
Vintage 1970s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, 14k Gold
- 8mm Akoya Japanies Pearl Triple Strand choker Necklace, Sterling Silver ClaspLocated in New York, NYIntroducing the 8mm Akoya Japan Pearl Triple Strand choker Necklace, complete with a Sterling Silver clasp. This exquisite Pearl necklace boasts t...Category
2010s Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Sterling Silver