July 11, 2006

Kokichi Mikimoto Obtains First Cultured Pearl

Mikimoto was the son of a Japanese udon shop owner and sold vegetables to support his family; he also invented the cultured pearl. In 1888, he obtained a loan to start a pearl farm. After 5 years and near bankruptcy, he produced the 1st cultivated pearl. It took another 12 years to create the spherical pearls that are indistinguishable from natural ones. In 1899, the first Mikimoto pearl shop was opened in Tokyo, and his empire expanded internationally soon after. At what age did he die?
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