Japanese Kokichi Mikimoto (1858-1954) dreamt of creating pearls that would be affordable to the common man/woman but still maintain its pearly beauty and elegance.

While visiting a pearl exhibit, he learned that oysters can be induced to create pearls. This by introducing a foreign substance, like sand, to it which the oyster would immediately wrap in a substance that would eventually become a pearl.

He experimented through the 1880s and 90s until he finally achieved his aim in 1896 when he patented his Mikimoto cultured pearl.

He continued experimenting until he perfected the shape, texture, and over-all quality of his cultured pearls.
The world hailed his “invention” and called him the Pearl King as Japan became the leading exporter of cultured pearls.