What makes Mikimoto pearls so superior and why they’re must-haves in any collection Mikimoto pearls are unlike any other pearls. They carry within them the legacy of the world’s first-ever cultured pearls. That’s because in 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto successfully created cultured pearls for the first time, which led him to found Mikimoto and change the jewelry world forever.

His discovery was so revolutionary at the time that Thomas Edison, awed by Mikimoto's achievement, called his creation "one of the wonders of the world". To this day, Mikimoto’s dazzling pearls remain hallmarks of the brand - and icons of pearl jewelry worldwide.

What makes Mikimoto jewelry so unique

The team of expert craftsmen at Mikimoto create stunning jewelry pieces with the intent of spreading happiness and joy to everyone who wears them. It takes countless hours of work and dedication to make each piece of jewelry.

Mikimoto’s pearl experts sort through and select each pearl individually, ensuring every single pearl on a necklace, bracelet, ring, or earring matches its counterparts in color, size, shape, and luster perfectly.

But, before the meticulous jewelry-making process even begins, they must focus on the first - and most important - step of the creation process: pearl harvesting. That’s what sets Mikimoto apart - its pearls’ quality and unique beauty.

Although Akoya pearls have become synonymous with Mikimoto, the brand uses other types of pearls in its gorgeous jewelry.

Each pearl’s overall characteristics, such as luster and color, varies depending on the oysters in which they’re created and the environment they’re formed within. That's what makes each pearl unique.

Let’s take a look at the different types of pearls Mikimoto works with, so you can choose the best one for you.

Akoya Cultured Pearls

These beautiful pearls are the specialty of Japan's pearl farms. Pearls from Akoya oysters are admired for their unique beauty, elegance, and exquisite luster. It’s no wonder Akoya pearls are the most popular type among pearl lovers worldwide.

Their size ranges from 3 to 8 mm, with some rarer ones reaching more than 9 mm. You can get Akoya pearls in a variety of beautiful colors, such as white, cream, pink, green, silver, and gold.

White South Sea Pearls

This variety of pearls tends to be larger than 10 mm, and they’re produced by silver-lipped oysters in the warm waters of the South Seas, in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Burma.

Although they don’t vary in color, like Akoyas, their shape varies greatly, ranging from near-perfectly-round pearls to fancy shapes, such as drop pearls.

Black South Sea Cultured Pearls

Black-lipped oysters, found only in French Polynesia, produce these prized black pearls. Despite their name, Black South Sea pearls are found in a wide range of colors, including black, green, blue, gray, brown, red, and yellow.

The rarest color, however, is the aptly named "peacock", which features an intense iridescent overtone reminiscent of peacock feathers, as well as the highest luster.

Golden South Sea

Golden pearls are produced by golden-lipped oysters, which are mainly found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Their warm, golden color is said to be rarer than gold itself, and their radiant hues of champagne create an elegant air of opulence.

Golden South Sea pearls are among the largest, most valuable pearls produced today. Their shades range from a creamy white to deep gold - and the deeper the gold, the rarer the pearl.

Conch Pearls

These gorgeous pearls are harvested from the Queen conch mollusk, which lives in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Conch pearls are most often pink and oval-shaped, and the finest examples are characterized by a distinctive wave-like "flame" structure, which gives the unique and beautiful appearance of fire burning on the surface of the pearl.

Baroque

The term “Baroque” doesn’t characterize the type of pearl, but, instead, it refers to a pearl’s shape. Baroque pearls have a beautiful irregular shape - that can be anything from tear-drop and egg to button and any other irregular shape.

These shapes can be found in all other pearl varieties, such as Akoya and South Sea, and their unique look is a great way of adding a creative and innovative touch to pearl jewelry.

Where to buy Mikimoto pearls in North Carolina?

For the widest selection of Mikimoto jewelry in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, head to Schiffman’s Jewelers.

Here, you’ll find beautiful pearl necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings; and our friendly staff will make sure you get the Mikimoto piece of your dreams.

Visit us at one of our three locations in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, NC. And, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with our latest news and get some stunning jewelry inspiration.