The legendary Kokichi Mikimoto is the father of cultured pearling, being the first person to successfully grow pearls through artificial stimulus in 1916. The company that bears his name is still a world leader cultivating the “Akoya” pearl, which is predominantly farmed in Japan and China.

The Akoya oyster (Pictada Fucata Martensii) produces the smallest pearls (ranging from 2mm to 11mm) and they are normally cream or white in colour. Despite their diminutive stature, their renowned lustre and consistent propensity for being perfectly round makes Akoya pearls ideal for necklaces and strands of multiple pearls.

Today “Mikimoto” is not just a producer with a rich history but a jeweller of enviable reputation, marrying Japanese and Western design standards to create unique pieces that are marketed across the globe.