MikimotoMaker name
1878
Mark image
Japan
Specialties | 1888 | 1893 | 1899 | 1913 | 1916 | 1931 | 1954
Designer marks
Mikimoto marks
Mikimoto marks are associated with cultured pearl necklaces and bracelets from Japan. Mikimoto marks include incised “MIKIMOTO” lettering.
- Active years
- From 1893
- Country
- Japan
- Products
- cultured pearl necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, pendants
- Marks
- 6
1893 pearl-culturing milestone; Ginza jewelry retail opened 1899. These dates do not date an individual M or name stamp.
What to look for
- Inspect the back of a clasp, earring fittings, ring shank, pendant bail or brooch underside for MIKIMOTO or the M-in-shell device.
- Check a strand’s clasp and M charm together; read the setting’s fineness mark separately from the house mark.
- K MIKIMOTO TOKYO and SILVER are an older full-name format.
Marks & lettering
6 marks
Undated
K MIKIMOTO TOKYO / SILVER
Adds the K initial and TOKYO to the short modern name device.
stamped · silver · Tokyo, Japan
Undated
M
A separate M identity charm differs from an M struck inside an oyster outline.
cut-out metal identity charm · white gold
About Mikimoto
Kokichi Mikimoto developed a pearl-culturing business in the Ise-Shima region of Japan. In 1893 he obtained successful hemispherical cultured pearls attached to the oyster shell. These early blister pearls were different from the free spherical cultured pearls developed later. His experiments and commercial work helped establish a new pearl industry.
Mikimoto opened a pearl store in Tokyo’s Ginza district in 1899, providing an outlet for finished jewelry as well as pearls. The business combined Japanese metalworking with designs informed by European jewelry. International exhibitions and overseas retailing extended its reach; a London store opened in 1913. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches and other pearl-set jewelry became central products.
The house’s identifying devices include its name and an M within an oyster-shell outline. Necklace and bracelet clasps carry marks, and an M charm can accompany the strand. Older pieces may add K MIKIMOTO TOKYO and silver wording. Metal fineness stamps identify the setting rather than the pearls, and the same basic house devices occur across different jewelry forms.
Also known as: Mikimoto Pearl Store · 御木本真珠店 · K. Mikimoto & Co., Ltd.
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Blue Lagoon and Sea Magic
They were distributed by Mikimoto America but are different pearl lines.
Read the specific line name and clasp device; distribution by Mikimoto does not make the item main-brand Mikimoto jewelry.
Other Japanese pearl jewelry
Similar pearl strands and metal fittings are widely made.
Use the complete name or oyster-shell M and accompanying identity charm; pearl colour, shape or a generic metal stamp does not identify the jewelry house.