Mikimoto
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Tokyo jeweller known for cultured pearls.
We couldn't confirm where Mikimoto makes most of its Japanese cultured pearl jewellery.
Also worth knowing
Most jewellery and watches are made in countries such as India and China, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
Better-graded fine jewellery
Graded higher than Mikimoto, selling the same kinds of things.
No fine jewellery brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production, probably in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere jewellery and watches are usually made, such as India and China, unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: Conflict-free: diamonds, gems and gold traced to the mine, lab-grown, recycled or Fairmined (the Kimberley Process alone isn't enough)
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Probably made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Mikimoto makes most of its products, so this shows where jewellery and watches are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Thailand | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Italy | 10% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Switzerland | 10% | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: gold and gemstone mining are linked to child labour, forced labour and mercury poisoning.
- Responsible Jewellery Council certified: Industry code for jewellery businesses covering human rights and responsible sourcing. Its Chain of Custody standard traces materials; the basic certification does not. Source
- Modern slavery statement
- Uses high-risk raw materials such as tanned leather, mica or artisanal gold.
- It is Responsible Jewellery Council certified, but its stones and gold aren't traced to the mine. The Kimberley Process only covers diamonds that fund rebel wars, not abuses by governments or forced labour. Source
Research notes Mikimoto says it makes its jewellery in-house, but names no production sites; its pearls come from Ago Bay in Japan and from suppliers in Japan, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. It joined the Responsible Jewellery Council in 2021, was certified in 2023 and recertified to August 2029, uses LBMA-accredited gold refiners and adopted a human rights policy in 2023. Human Rights Watch criticised its lack of sourcing disclosure in 2021, and it publishes no supplier list, audit results or traceability to mines.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Publishes a UK modern slavery statement (2024-25) describing supplier due diligence and a whistleblowing hotline, with no audits or findings reported. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No labour abuse allegations involving Mikimoto's workshops, pearl farms or suppliers were identified. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- K. Mikimoto & Co., Ltd - Responsible Jewellery Council · search the archive · Member since August 2021; Code of Practices certified 22 August 2026 to 22 August 2029 (previous certificate 2023-2026).
- Why Japan's luxury jeweler should be open about its operations (HRW, 2021) · search the archive · Mikimoto did not answer HRW's questions on gold and diamond sourcing; no specific abuses alleged.
- Mie, jewel of the cultured pearl (Zoom Japan) · search the archive · Mikimoto cultivates Akoya pearls in Ago Bay, Mie, Japan.
- Mikimoto Classic Collection - House of Kennedy · search the archive · Sydney and Melbourne jeweller with boutiques, including Chatswood Chase, selling Mikimoto in AUD.
Published by Mikimoto or its owner
- Mikimoto UK Modern Slavery Act Statement 2025 · search the archive · Sept 2024-Aug 2025: in-house jewellery making; suppliers in Japan, Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East; RJC certified 2023; LBMA gold.
- Mikimoto - Social responsibility · search the archive · RJC member since August 2021; human rights policy adopted August 2023; diamonds via Kimberley Process; LBMA-accredited gold.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Japan
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Mikimoto ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/mikimoto, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Mikimoto.