There is no parallel to the quality of a MIKIMOTO pearl. Each pearl is examined for its nacre thickness, luster, surface perfection, spherical shape, and color. The ideal pearl has a gorgeous iridescent color, a rich full nacre, a luster which exudes an inner glow, while being nearly perfect in spherical shape and completely free of blemishes. It is with these pearls that MIKIMOTO strings together with silk to create some of the finest quality necklaces in the world. If fine quality pearls are what you seek, we invite you to visit the MIKIMOTO boutique available at Dell Williams.
The MIKIMOTO name indicates superior quality at every stage, from selection of the finest materials to the design and workmanship of the finished product.
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How Mikimoto Pearls Are Formed
A nucleus of a pig toe shell is inserted into the pearl oyster. To protect itself from an irritant, the oyster is forced to secrete multiple layers of nacre that eventually become the pearl. After the insertion, the oyster is placed in wire-mesh baskets for protection and hung in long, floating rafts in the sea. These rafts are moved often to protect the oysters from natural predators, extreme water temperature changes, rough tides and other natural occurrences. Several times each year, the oysters are carefully cleaned of moss, seaweed, barnacles and other parasites and re-submerged. After two to three years beneath he sea and depending on size and quality needed, the pearls are harvested.
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Akoya or Japanese Pearls
These pearls come from a nucleus inserted into the Akoya Oyster (Pinctada Fukata) which produce sizes ranging from 2-10mm. The shapes generally range from round to irregular. Japanese pearls have a basic white body color with color tones ranging from cream, green, gold, silver, pink to pink rose. The most noted characteristics of these pearls are high luster and rich color.
South Sea Pearls
It takes at least a dozen harvest years to collect enough South Sea pearls with matching colors and luster to make one necklace. Any white cultured pearls, larger than 10mm, are generally grown in the waters of the South Seas by larger oysters (Pinctada maxima). They are capable of creating rare pearls sizes of 16-17mm and even rarer cases 20mm with a variety of exotic colors. Large silvery pearls are produced by the large Silver-Lipped Oyster found in the tropical waters of Australia, Indonesia and the Phillippines.
Formed in the Black-Lipped Pearl Oyster with sizes ranging from 8.5-18mm, natural black pearls come from the exotic waters of Tahiti and Okinawa. The exuberant colors range from blues, greens, and violets to the most prized color, peacock green. The most treasured of the South Sea are the beautiful and brilliant golden pearls produced by the Golden-Lipped Pearl Oyster. The enchantment comes from the rich colors and high luster. The natural golden color is said to be rarest of all pearls.
Mikimoto Quality Grading Standards
Each pearl harvested is as different and individual as a fingerprint. They are sorted and arranged by many characteristics. At this time, they are also graded from commercial to gem quality. At Mikimoto, our quality control system regulates the type of pearls that meet Mikimoto standards and carry the guarantee that backs every Mikimoto brand product. Only 3 out of every 100 pearls harvested meets Mikimoto's exclusive demand of excellence.
There are six physical factors that determine the quality of the pearl: nacre, luster, color, size, shape, and surface texture. The nacre is the outside surface layer of the pearl. The luster and brightness comes from the thickness and uniformity of the nacre, which results, on how the light reflects off the surface. This is the most critical factor in determining quality. The more valuable pearls tend to be perfectly round. The larger and rounder the pearl, it increases in value.
Be advised that pearls are affected by harsh perfumes, cosmetics, and even the natural body oils that tend to build up from constant wear. Always remove pearl jewelry before applying perfume, lotions, cosmetics, or when bathing. To keep your pearls looking lustrous, wipe them with a soft cloth after each wearing. If the pearls become soiled, they can be cleaned with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Never use commercial cleaners as they may damage the pearls. Constant wear will weaken the string in the pearl necklace and it should be restrung at least once a year to keep it looking beautiful.
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