The highest quality cultured pearl necklaces are those produced and created by Mikimoto. These pearls are known for their unparalleled charm and brilliance. It is said that once you wear Mikimoto pearls, any other kind of pearl will seem second-rate. Mikimoto pearls are so refined in quality that its fans consist of the royal families of Britain and Japan, Marilyn Monroe and Monaco's Princess Grace.
Here are some facts on what Mikimoto cultured pearls are, where they came from and how to buy them.
Ring Buyer Guide
How pearls are formed
A pearl is the corollary of an oyster or mollusks' reaction to an irritant that invades its shell. To try to protect itself, the mollusk secretes a crystalline substance called nacre which builds up in layers upon layers, surrounding the irritant. When this happens, a pearl is born.
Pearls have been cultured for centuries not just in Japan, but in other countries as well. Much of the products corollary to semispherical pearls, also called mabe pearls from the oyster that grew them, and not in the more coveted rotund pearls. It was Kokichi Mikimoto who developed a special technique to induce oysters to originate a round pearl.
The man behind the name
Cultured pearls as we know them, owe a lot to Kokichi Mikimoto, the man who perfected the pearl culturing formula that is still used today. Contrary to beloved belief, he did not build the commerce although he did play a very indispensable role in advancing the techniques which contributed to the revision in cultured pearl quality.
Mikimoto, the son of a noodle restaurant owner, was born in 1885 in Toba City, Japan. He was first introduced to pearls when he started raising oysters. around this time, Japan was already trading pearls with other countries and pearl oysters were in danger of becoming over-harvested. Mikimoto decided to couple on experiments in seeding oysters and producing pearls.
The first endeavors were failures. Mikimoto and his colleagues repeatedly encountered disappointing results, due in part to unruly factors like water temperature and red tide. But this did nothing to dissuade Mikimoto from his dream.
His efforts paid off eventually. On July 11, 1893, with his wife Ume, he discovered a beautiful pearl in one of his oysters. He never looked back since. By the time he died in 1954, the extremely honored Mikimoto had successfully advocated and promoted cultured pearls and opened markets all over the world. Today, his name is synonymous to the highest quality cultured pearls.
Buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace
Pearl necklaces come in any lengths. From the shortest to the longest, they are: collar (10"-13"), choker (14"-16"), princess (18"-20"), matinee (20"-24"), opera (28"-34") and rope (37" and longer). The length of the pearl necklace will depend on the woman's age, body combination and neck size, although an 18 to 24-inch pearl necklace is a good length for anyone. generally speaking, the longer the necklace, the more it 'elongates' the neck.
The mark of "M"
Every jewelry created by Mikimoto together with pearl necklaces, has an "M" stamped on its setting. This is a certify of quality. However, in some cases, the mark of "M" will only certify that the setting is genuine and not the pearls, which can be supplanted and restrung.
A caveat: there is a black shop for Mikimoto clasps, where former Mikimoto clasps are used for economy or imitation-quality pearls. Beware also of 'closeout' Mikimoto sales, even if they come in 'new' 18k gold.
The best way to distinguish a true high-quality Mikimoto pearl from other pearls is to look for a unique road map or line pattern on the exterior of the pearls under a 10x magnifying lens. Experienced jewelers can recognize this. On your own, you will want to find genuine Mikimoto pearls to assess with your intended purchase. Once you see the difference, true Mikimoto pearls are authentically recognizable.
You might also encounter pearl necklaces that are labeled 'Mikimoto quality'. This is misleading. These are not pearls produced under the patented Mikimoto process. True Mikimoto pearl necklaces are those produced under stringent conditions in Ise in Honshu, Japan.
Akoya vs. Mikimoto
Another fine quality pearl is akoya pearls, although this is a normal term used to refer to saltwater pearls. These are not Mikimoto pearls and they don't cost the same.
Grading method
Mikimoto pearls are rated using four grades, with Aaa being the highest. There are 4 sub-grades beginning with Aaa1. Highest-grade pearls are those with the best luster and reflective quality, almost mirror-like, while lower-grade pearls are those with reasonably clear reflection.
When buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace, be sure to ask for grading certificates. This is not only good for insurance, but it is also a certify that what you are paying for is a true Mikimoto pearl necklace.
Buying Guide for a Mikimoto Pearl Necklace
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