1893 The world's first cultured semi-spherical pearls 1899 Mikimoto Pearl Store opens 1905 Spherical pearl cultured 1907 Mikimoto Gold Work Factory established 1913 Opening of overseas stores 1914 Black lipped pearl farm established on Ishigaki Island 1922 Pearl farm opened on the South Pacific island of Palau 1926 Five-storied Pagoda displayed at the Philadelphia World's Fair 1927 Encounter with the inventor Thomas Edison 1930 Founder Kokichi Mikimoto invited to the Imperial Palace as one of the 10 top Japanese inventors 1932 Burning of inferior pearls 1933 Model of George Washington's birthplace exhibited at Chicago World's Fair 1937 Yaguruma ("Wheels of Arrows") displayed at Paris Expo 1939 Mikimoto Liberty Bell displayed at New York World's Fair 1957 Crown donated to the National Cherry Blossom Festival 1969 Mikimoto wins De Beers Diamonds International Awards for the first time 1974 Mikimoto's main store rebuilt 1975 New York Store opened on Fifth Avenue 1976 Jumbo Christmas Tree display 1986 Winning the Diamond International Prize 1986 New Paris store opened 1989 Store opened in Yokohama's Motomachi district 1990 Launch of Mikimoto µ Collection 1995 Store opened in London 1995 Store opened in Shinsaibashi, Osaka 1997 Store opened in Costa Mesa, California 1999 Store opened in Las Vegas 1999 "Legend of the Phoenix" displayed at The Millennium Celebration 2000 Store opened in Yokohama Landmark Tower 2000 Launch of Milano Collection 2000 Launch of Mikimoto Diamond Duo 2001 Launch of Mikimoto Fashion Designer Collection 2001 Store opened in Beverly Hills 2002 Miss Universe crown donated 2002 "Blessing of Gaia" displayed at the world's first diamond jewelry exhibition 2003 New Lotte Main Store opened in Seoul 2004 New Jamsil store opened in Seoul 2004 New Galleria Store opened in Seoul 2004 New IFC shop opened in Hongkong 2004 Store opened in Shanghai Plaza66, Shanghai 2005 Store opened in Avenuel, Seoul 2006 Store opened in Siam Paragon Shopping Center, Bangkok 2006 Store opened in DongA Department Shopping Store, Daegu 2007 Store opened in The Grand Formosa Regent, Taipei 2007 Store opened in The Venetian® Macao Resort Hotel, Macao 2007 Store opened in The Elements, Kowloon, Hong Kong 2008 Store opened in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia