Mr. Yoshitaka Mikimoto presented the crown as gift in April 1957. It was his wish
that this gift serve as a symbol of friendship and goodwill between the people of Japan
and the people of the United States. He also stated that it was to be used to crown
the Queen of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. The 1,585 pearls were especially
selected by Mr. Mikimoto, president of the firm. They vary in size, the largest being a
Mobe pearl of 18.0 mm. The other large pearls range in size from 11.5, 10, 9.5, 8.5
and 8 mm. The remainder of pearls in the crown design range in size from 7 to 3 mm.
Truly a royal crown; truly a priceless gift. The Mikimoto crown is ceremonial, and because
of its weight, the young lady who is crowned Queen, will wear the famous piece for but a
few brief moments. She is given a miniature crown of gold, with a pearl topping each
point, to wear for the remainder of the evening and to keep as hers to remember the moment
forever.
The Mikimoto Pearl Crown
The magnificent crown was designed and made by the most skillful hand-craftsman who
many years before had made the crown, tiara and jeweled ornaments for the imperial
household by appointment only. This staff of expert jewelsmiths spent a total of 50 days
handwork to complete the 14K gold and pearl crown. This glamorous crown has a 6 3/4"
base is encircled generously with a band of ermine. Immediately above this, there is
coronet of perfectly matched pearls, delicately crafted gold blossoms, and scrolls leaves.
The larger pearls are appropriatel set into this design. Rising from the base the splendor
of gold archpoints within which are set the remainder of the 1,557 pearls
The
Cherry Blossom Queen