Mikimoto will not be in Basel this year, as the legendary pearl maison opted instead to unveil its latest and greatest during private appointments held at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Geneva, timed to coincide with the SIHH show in January. There, the firm marked the occasion of its 125th anniversary with an array of exciting pearl jewelry debuts.

The collections are headlined by Yaguruma, a line that takes inspiration from an important design founder Kokichi Mikimoto introduced to much acclaim at the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris. The Obidome kimono sash clip, executed in the Art Deco style, was adorned with akoya cultured pearls and calibré-cut sapphires and emeralds and boasted 12 interchangeable settings that allowed for the disassembling and reassembling of parts to form a completely different piece, such as a brooch or a hair ornament.

Known at the Mikimoto archives as the Yaguruma Sash Clip, it lends the design and structure of its circular centerpiece to form new pendants, a bracelet, a belt, and the clasps of some classic pearl necklaces.

Yaguruma bracelet with akoya cultured pearls, mother-of-pearl, quartz, and diamonds in 18k white gold

Yaguruma belt with akoya cultured pearls, mother-of-pearl, quartz, and diamonds in 18k white gold

Yaguruma pendant with akoya cultured pearl, diamonds, and green enamel inlay in 18k white gold

The Les Pétales Place Vendôme collection invokes the romantic, cosmopolitan milieu of Paris with simple, modern designs inspired by rose petals floating to the ground at Place Vendôme, where Mikimoto opened a boutique soon after the Paris Exhibition. Here, diamond-accented petals envelop white South Sea and akoya cultured pearls in a feminine suite consisting of a necklace, rings, and a bracelet.

Les Pétales Place Vendôme ring with white South Sea cultured pearl and diamonds in 18k white gold

Les Pétales Place Vendôme necklace with white South Sea cultured pearls and diamonds in 18k white gold

The other Geneva debuts include one-of-a-kind  pearl pieces set with spectacular diamonds and colored gemstones…

 

High jewelry Praise to Nature collection earrings with pearls and diamonds

Essential collection pearl necklace with pink sapphire and diamonds

…and new luxury gifts: photo frames detailed in akoya cultured pearls and diamonds, thoughtfully designed in a lacework pattern, as well as radially cut mother-of-pearl. Both lines are intended to signal the next chapter for Mikimoto in its efforts to meet the demands of today’s luxury customer.

Top image: Akoya cultured pearl necklace with diamonds set in 18k white gold.. All prices available on request.

 

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