American Pearl · Pearl Guide
In short: “Blue Lagoon” is a trade name for pearls sold by Mikimoto, not a separate pearl variety. The pearls themselves are cultured Akoya or South Sea pearls, and comparable quality is available without a brand-name premium.
Pearls - A note about pealrs that are Mikimoto pearls Blue Lagoon
People often ask us about Blue Lagoon pearls.
There is only so much of the very fine-quality cultured pearls that American Pearl, Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto offer. It is truly a commodity. Mikimoto Blue Lagoon pearls were developed to capture pearl market share without competing with Mikimoto's pearl brand found in its company stores. Technically speaking, pearls are graded by their pearl luster, pearl body color, pearl shape and pearl overtone. This is the nomenclature used: AAA quality pearls have Very High Luster (the mirror-like quality of the pearls), AA quality has High luster, A+ medium and A low. So the better-quality pearls have more luster. This is the grading system Mikimoto uses in their actual stores. However, they do not sell Mikimoto Blue Lagoon pearl necklaces in their company stores.
Purchasing the finest pearls in your price range will ensure durability. Why? Finer pearls with higher luster usually have a thicker nacre. Nacre is the skin of the pearl and thicker-skinned or thicker-nacre pearls contribute to higher luster. In fact, the two are directly correlated. There are other benefits to purchasing finer-quality pearls. Finer pearls have the best chances of improving in value over time and they have more of those qualities for which people are initially enamored with pearls in the first place. Simply put, they are more beautiful.
There is only so much of the very fine-quality cultured pearls that American Pearl, Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto offer. It is truly a commodity. Mikimoto Blue Lagoon pearls were developed to capture pearl market share without competing with Mikimoto's pearl brand found in its company stores. Technically speaking, pearls are graded by their pearl luster, pearl body color, pearl shape and pearl overtone. This is the nomenclature used: AAA quality pearls have Very High Luster (the mirror-like quality of the pearls), AA quality has High luster, A+ medium and A low. So the better-quality pearls have more luster. This is the grading system Mikimoto uses in their actual stores. However, they do not sell Mikimoto Blue Lagoon pearl necklaces in their company stores.
Purchasing the finest pearls in your price range will ensure durability. Why? Finer pearls with higher luster usually have a thicker nacre. Nacre is the skin of the pearl and thicker-skinned or thicker-nacre pearls contribute to higher luster. In fact, the two are directly correlated. There are other benefits to purchasing finer-quality pearls. Finer pearls have the best chances of improving in value over time and they have more of those qualities for which people are initially enamored with pearls in the first place. Simply put, they are more beautiful.
Common Questions
Are Blue Lagoon pearls Mikimoto pearls?
Blue Lagoon pearls are part of a pearl line marketed by Mikimoto. The name refers to the brand collection rather than a distinct type of pearl.
What kind of pearls are Blue Lagoon pearls?
Blue Lagoon pearls are cultured pearls — typically Akoya and South Sea pearls — graded and sold under Mikimoto’s collection name.
Can you buy the same quality pearls for less?
Yes, you can buy the same quality pearls for less: pearl value comes from luster, surface, shape, size and matching, and the same grades are available from wholesale pearl dealers without a brand-name markup.
