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For as long as we’ve celebrated marriage, pearls have been part of the ceremony – symbols of purity, hope and the soft glow of a new beginning. The Ancient Greeks believed they promised harmony, the Romans prized them as tokens of purity, and along the way, they became shorthand for grace itself.
Yet for all the mythology surrounding them, the story of the modern pearl begins not in legend but with a single, world-changing breakthrough off the coast of Japan.
In 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in creating the world’s first cultured pearl – a feat dismissed as folly until Thomas Edison, no stranger to miracles himself, deemed it a “wonder of the world”. From that moment on, Mikimoto didn’t simply make jewellery; it defined what the pearl could be.
More than 130 years later, the maison remains the undisputed authority, accepting only the top five percent of Japan’s Akoya harvests leading to the house’s signature mirror-bright lustre and enviably thick, iridescent nacre.
Jewels for a Lifetime
For many brides, Mikimoto marks the moment. In Japan, its pieces are almost a rite of passage – the jeweller of record for weddings, heirlooms and milestones.
Its craftsmanship has long attracted royalty, red-carpet regulars and pop-cultural icons; Hailee Steinfeld and Jennifer Lopez are among those who chose Mikimoto on their wedding day, no doubt lured by the blend of sentiment, symbolism and impeccable beauty that the brand has perfected.
Bridal jewellery carries a particular emotional charge, a mixture of love, memory and the promise of a new chapter. Mikimoto understands this intrinsically. These aren’t just pieces to wear for the day but to cherish across generations.
Mikimoto Lumière Perle: Light in All Its Forms
This year, the brand introduced the Mikimoto Lumière Perle engagement ring collection – a trio of platinum designs that showcases pearls in a role usually reserved for diamonds.
It’s a bold choice and an irresistibly modern one, casting the Akoya pearl as a symbol of commitment: serene, luminous and quietly powerful.
Each design pairs the softness of an Akoya pearl with the clean geometry of exceptional diamonds, creating a tension that feels thoroughly contemporary. The rings catch light the way pearls catch stories – with depth, nuance and an almost hypnotic glow.
With prices ranging from £3,000 to £6,000, the collection offers a fresh alternative for couples looking beyond convention: where bridal meets fashion, and classic meets cutting-edge.
The Bow Charm Collection: Romance, Reimagined
This Spring also saw the release of Mikimoto’s Bow Charm playing homage to one of jewellery’s oldest symbols of love. The bow has long signified unity and romantic connection – two strands tied together, elegant yet effortless. Mikimoto sharpens the motif into something sleek and modern, the ribbon rendered in diamonds and anchored by luminous pearls.
There’s charm here, certainly, but also confidence: pieces that feel sweet without ever slipping into saccharine. Fronted by Japanese actress Keiko Kitagawa, whose refined style mirrors the collection’s spirit, Bow Charm is designed to complement personality rather than mask it. Among the highlights, a pearl-and-diamond choker stands out as a pitch-perfect Valentine’s Day gift – though frankly, it feels persuasive at any time of year.
Where to Find Mikimoto
These collections – along with Mikimoto’s full suite of fine jewellery – are now available at Mikimoto, 179 New Bond Street, with many collections available in the Fine Jewellery Room at Harrods. Whether you’re choosing an engagement ring, a wedding heirloom or a piece of pure self-expression, you’re stepping into a legacy shaped by innovation, artistry and more than a century of luminous beauty.
Find out more at mikimoto.co.uk
