Mikimoto Outshines Pigskin at Tournament of Roses
By Carrie Soucy, Senior Editor -- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 3/1/2005
Mikimoto was selected by the Tournament of Roses to design, execute, and supply the crown for the Rose Queen and tiaras for the six Rose Princesses for the next five years.
The Rose Queen's crown was designed by Amy-Kim Araneo, director of design and product development for Mikimoto (America) Co. Ltd., with the assistance of Mikimoto's design team in Japan. The design theme of the Rose Queen's crown features a three-dimensional ribbon effect with overlapping swirls and a flow of graduated-size pearls. The Rose Queen crown also features a heart element to signify love. It's valued at $100,000 and features 10 of the finest-quality white South Sea pearls and 632 akoya cultured pearls with 6.09 cts. of diamonds. The crown was handmade by Mikimoto in the company's factory in Japan. It took more than 10 weeks of labor to complete.
When not being worn by the Rose Queen and Rose Princesses, the crown and tiaras will be on display in one of four Mikimoto U.S. retail stores: Fifth Avenue, New York; The Regent Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, Calif.; South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif.; and The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.
The 116th Rose Parade, with the theme Celebrate Family, took place on Jan. 1, just prior to the Rose Bowl football game.
