Mikimoto, the originator of the cultured pearl, launches Over The Silk Road.

The Silk Road played a vital role in exchanging Eastern and Western cultures. For more than 2,500 years this trade route created an unprecedented opportunity for people to meet, trade and share information beyond the boundaries of nations and races.

Fascinated by the widely diverse beauty in this fabled region, Tomohiro Yajima, chief designer for Mikimoto, perceived the origins of jewellery in the air and light, the shapes and colours of the Silk Road.

The initial collection called the Yajima Collection (1) is a manifestation of Yajima's creativity, inspired during his travels in Greece, Turkey, Syria and Iran. This is where European and Western Asian cultures are mixed and legends such as Alexander the Great advanced his army, creating a landmark in the history of the Silk Road. Yajima will continue his journey, developing another two collections over the next two years.

This exclusive Collection will be on display in the Mikimoto Bond Street store during the month of June 2006.