By what year had Kokichi Mikimoto begun culturing whole pearls?

Kokichi Mikimoto is often recognized as the pioneer of cultured pearls, having successfully developed the technique for culturing whole pearls in the early 1900s. Specifically, he achieved this remarkable feat in 1908, marking a significant turning point in the pearl industry.

Mikimoto's method involved inserting a small nucleus made from a piece of shell into an oyster, which then produced a pearl around it. This innovation not only transformed the way pearls were produced but also made pearls more accessible and affordable to the broader public. Prior to this advancement, natural pearls were harvested from oysters but were rare and expensive.

Mikimoto's work led to the establishment of his brand, and his cultured pearls became a symbol of luxury and elegance. Thus, the year 1908 is pivotal in the history of pearl cultivation, as it represents the moment when Mikimoto's vision came to fruition, enabling the proliferation of cultured pearls that we see today.