B.W. COOK -- The Look

From the pearl obsession of Queen Elizabeth I to the distinct

pearl-inspired fashion statements of such 20th century female legends as

Gabrielle Coco Chanel, Barbara Mortimer,Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and

former First Lady Barbara Bush, the pearl is not only a thing of great

natural beauty, but also a symbol of taste, class, status, and a sign of

personal taste and preference.

In 1893, a Japanese man by the name of Mikimoto had an idea that would

eventually capture and revolutionize the pearl market worldwide. Mikimoto

decided that if the pearl was found growing naturally in the oyster, why

not plant and harvest pearls in oysters in the fashion one might plant

and grow a selected crop?

Thus, the cultured pearl was created.

The process was difficult and full of failure. But, Mikimoto

discovered the perfect ingredient for success in America, taking a

sampling of Midwestern river rock to use as an irritant to create the

perfect pearl at his Japanese oyster farm. It worked.

Today, Mikimoto is known the world over as the creator of gem-quality

cultured pearls.

Until recently, the Mikimoto family only had one store in the United

States, on Manhattan’s tony Fifth Avenue. Several years ago, they opened

a West Coast operation at South Coast Plaza, run by William Thomas, who

will soon assist Mikimoto in the opening of a Beverly Hills boutique.

There is also a store at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

The Look ventured into the hallowed hall of pearls with our model de

jour Madeline Zuckerman, president of Newport Beach-based MZ Public

Relations and Marketing. The result was nothing short of dazzling.

CUTLINES

1. Mikimoto goes contemporary with this modern neck sculpture,

fashioned in 18-karat white gold and encrusted with diamonds and cultured

pearls ($22,000). The ear bobs are also made in 18-karat white gold with

diamonds and pearls ($7,150).

2. Triple strands of varied black South Sea pearls in perfectly

matched gradations of size and color sell for $75,000 per set. Black

South Sea pearl earrings set in platinum with diamonds sell for $6,100.

3. An exquisite ring fashioned in platinum with an art deco-inspired

setting features a large black South Sea pearl surrounded by diamonds

($12,000)

4. A simple drop features a black South Sea pearl swinging on a

diamond hoop. Matching earrings are also set in 18-karat white gold with

pearls and diamonds. These items are all from Mikimoto’s Millennium

Collection.

5. Fit for a princess, Madeline Zuckerman shows off a double-row

necklace of black South Sea pearls with a magnificent centerpiece

fashioned of diamonds, with a total diamond weight of 5.72 carats

($52,200). Her earrings are also of platinum and diamonds with a large

center stone pearl. The pair sells for $20,000.

6. The golden pearl is the very latest retro-trend in pearl fashion.

This necklace of golden pearls features a center stone of blue tanzanite

with a diamond and black pearl drop. Madeline wears the necklace with a

ring featuring a large golden pearl in the center and surrounding

diamonds, with earrings that are simple grand golden pearls.

7. Black and white pearls together are also the rage. A double strand

of black and white South Sea pearls ($150,000) is worn with black pearl

and diamond ear bobs ($9,000).

8. How about a combination of black and golden South Sea pearls? Three

strands for $65,000.