Mikimoto 8mm Golden Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Strand Estate Fine Jewelry
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:41.9 g
- Dimensions:Width: 0.3 in (7.62 mm)Length: 17 in (431.8 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 2003
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The necklace is in very good condition.
- Seller Location:Torrance, CA
- 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: Torrance, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Cartier Cultured Pearl Necklace Triple Strand 6mm 18k Gold Onyx ClaspBy CartierLocated in Torrance, CAStylish vintage Cartier triple stand cultured pearl necklace (circa 1960s to 1970s) finished with an 18k gold onyx inlaid clasp. Cultured pearls are ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Golden South Sea Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp 14 Karat Gold EstateLocated in Torrance, CAStylish 13mm to 14mm Golden South Sea Pearl necklace finished with a 14k yellow gold clasp. Golden South Sea Pearls measure 13mm to 14mm. The pearls are slightly off-round with m...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Tiffany & Co Necklace Onyx Multi Strand Torsade Toggle Vintage Fine JewelryBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Torrance, CAElegant and finely detailed vintage Tiffany & Co multi strand onyx torsade necklace crafted in sterling silver. gold. Onyx is strung onto 8 strands. The evenly sized and matched b...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
- Mikimoto Cultured Pearl Diamond Drop Necklace Estate 18 Karat White Gold JewelryBy MikimotoLocated in Torrance, CAElegant Mikimoto drop necklace, crafted in 18 karat white gold. Mikimoto cultured akoya pearl measures 9mm, accented with an estimated 0.25 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Gump's Aquamarine Necklace Estate Double Strand 14k Gold FreeformBy Gump's San FranciscoLocated in Torrance, CAFinely detailed estate Gump's double strand aquamarine necklace finished with a 14k yellow gold clasp. Tumbled aquamarine beads measure (average) 15mm x 5mm. The aquamarines are i...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsAquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Tiffany & Co Essential Necklace 7mm Cultured Pearls 18k Yellow Gold Clasp 18"By Tiffany & Co.Located in Torrance, CAStylish pre owned Tiffany & Co essential cultured pearls 18" necklace finished with an 18k yellow gold clasp. The necklace is strung with 7mm cultured pearls...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 17.5" 18k Y Gold 9.5 mm CertifiedBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 17.5" 18k Y Gold 9.5 mm Certified $47,500 311590 Estate Mikimoto 44 Pearls LARGE 9.5 mm 17.5 Inches 18 KT Yellow Gold Clasp This Authentic Mik...Category
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Gold
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 17.5" 18k W Gold 8.5 mm CertifiedBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMikimoto Estate Japanese Akoya Pearl Necklace 17.5" 18k W Gold 8.5 mm Certified $9,750 216996 Estate Mikimoto 49 Akoya Pearls LARGE 8.5 mm 17.5 Inches 18 KT White Gold Clasp This ...Category
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Gold
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 36" 14k Y Gold 9 mm CertifiedBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMagnificent and Rare Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl 9 mm necklace Necklace 36" 18k Yellow Gold Certified $56,000 M56000 Estate Mikimoto 97 Pearls LARG...Category
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, 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
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" 18k Y Gold 10 mm CertifiedBy MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYMagnificent and Very Rare Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" 18k Y Gold 10 mm Certified $106,000 M106000 Estate Mikimoto 43 Pearls LARGE 10 mm 18 Inches 18 KT Yellow Gold Cla...Category
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Gold
- Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 18k Gold 9.5 mm Certified M35435By MikimotoLocated in Brooklyn, NYCertified and Appraised by Mikimoto in New York for the amount of $35,435 Estate Mikimoto 44 Pearls LARGE 9.5 mm 17.5 Inches 18 KT Yellow Gold Clasp TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEA...Category
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold