Kokichi Mikimoto: The "Father" of the Modern Cultured Pearl

Before the introduction of cultured pearls, the only ones available in the market were "wild caught." While these pearls were beautiful, it was very dangerous to dive for them and many of those that were collected were not useable or of a high enough grade that they would be seen as "desirable." 

Kokicichi Mikimoto surveys his work.

Through dogged persistence, despite personal tragedy, natural disasters and a hostile natural pearl industry, Kokichi Mikimoto managed to perfect the art of culturing round pearls and create a market for them.

For more information on how the industry began and its fascinating creator please see:

The Man Who Loved Pearls 
The Pearl King