Saturday, May 31, 2008

Mikimoto Pearls

Pearls were very fashionable, but still very, very costly. After the 1890s Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan produced highly acceptable cultured pearls by placing a small bead into an oyster shell. The bead coated itself with nacre (mother of pearl) and so good looking pearl jewels became more affordable.

When I see Mikimoto pearls today I always think their lustre far surpasses any other pearl made this way.

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