Overview of Pearl Types - Akoya Saltwater Pearl Overview - Freshwater Pearl Overview - Tahitian Pearl Overview - South Sea Pearl Overview Pearl Grading - Pearl Quality Criteria & Guides Selecting Pearls - Choosing Necklace Length - Choosing Pearl Diameter - Choosing Pearl Color/Overtone - Japanese vs. Chinese Pearls Pearl Treatments - Pearl Dyeing - Pearl Polishing - Pearl Bleaching Pearl History - A Brief History of Pearls - History of Akoya Pearl Culturing Pearl Farming - Natural vs. Cultured Pearls - About Pearl Farming Pearl Care - Pearl Care Guide About Our Jewelry - Dyed or Natural? - Chinese or Japanese? - Stranding Articles - The 14lb Pearl and Other World Record Gems

It is often said that Kokichi Mikimoto single-handedly invented the modern Akoya pearl culturing industry. Although this is not entirely correct, Mikimoto did play the largest role in both developing Akoya pearl culturing techniques and successfully marketing cultured pearls and gaining acceptance from the greater pearl-loving community.

Mikimoto was born in Toba City, Japan in 1858. He began raising Pearl producing mollusks (oysters) in 1888 and was awarded a patent for culturing “mabes” (hemispherical pearls) soon after. During the following 20+ years, he continued his research and development on pearl culturing and was eventually awarded a patent on developing techniques for producing spherical or round pearls from mollusks/oysters, resulting in the now-famous “Akoya Pearls”.

From that time forward, Mikimoto was a champion for new and ever-evolving Akoya pearl culturing techniques. His efforts are largely responsible for the blossoming pearl industry that exists today. All who now benefit from Mikimoto’s Akoya pearl culturing techniques (including National Pearl) owe Mikimoto a great deal for his innovation as a true pearl culturing pioneer!