MIKIMOTO pearls are referred to as hanadama, or 'flower pearls', which denotes the highest quality pearls. Over one hundred years ago, in 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in producing the world's first cultured pearl. Since that day, MIKIMOTO continues to make history, creating its own distinctive style. MIKIMOTO has developed the highest standards of quality and consistency by devoting more than a century to understanding the sea and researching the oyster. Only the top 5% of the pearl harvest meets the strict quality standards of MIKIMOTO.