YOKO London: Luxury Pearl Jewellery Brand Presented Over 200 New Pieces at Baselworld

April 29, 2019

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

The Baselworld watch and jewellery show has long been considered the ‘event of the year’ within the luxury industry; every year brands from across the globe flock to the exhibition to present their latest collections and masterpieces. One such brand was YOKO London – pearl jewellery specialists – who presented over 200 new creations.

YOKO London is considered a world leader in pearl jewellery design. Founded in 1973 by the company’s CEO, Michael Hakimian, the brand remains very much a family business. YOKO London work with 13 pearl farms around the world – all of which reserve the most rare and high quality pearls specifically for the company. This access to exceptional pearls of unusual sizes, hues and shapes is the reason why one finds more than just the traditional white sea mineral in YOKO collections – but also its pink, purple, golden, light blue and deep grey Tahitian counterparts.

Yoko London High Jewellery collection necklace with pearls and diamonds

Yoko London High Jewellery collection necklace with pearls and diamonds

 Yoko London High Jewellery collection necklace with pearls and diamonds

Yoko London High Jewellery collection necklace with pearls and diamonds

People are drawn toward novelties, and now many of our clients are most interested in the newest pieces. Fortunately, we are able to produce a wealth of jewellery variations, because of our wonderful team which has so many new design ideas! Within a matter of 2 to 3 weeks, we are able to bring a new piece to the market because of our design capability and stock. This differentiates us from our competitors. – Michael Hakimian

During our conversation, I discover that YOKO London doesn’t only produce new jewellery with an incessant fervour — the company also makes exclusive and highly limited pieces, of which only two or three are available. When several shades of pearl are to be used in a piece of jewellery, Michael himself selects the specific pearls to achieve a perfect aesthetic: “I enjoy playing with the pearls and changing the composition, we may do this 20, 30, 50 times until the variation of colours is perfectly in harmony,” the YOKO London founder confides.

Yoko London High Jewellery necklace with Radiant Orchid pearls and diamonds

Yoko London High Jewellery necklace with Radiant Orchid pearls and diamonds

However, this process was not necessary for the latest YOKO London pieces, as each design contains only traditional snow-white pearls from the South Seas, the Akoya oyster or cultured freshwater pearls. With the focus on the quality and lustre  of the pearls in these designs, careful attention was paid to the interweaving of diamonds amongst the pearls. Michael elaborates: “We have scattered diamonds, mosaics of diamonds, created fancy shapes of diamonds by mixing their different forms to offer ‘a big show for a small price’. This is what the pearl jewellery market wants.”

Yoko London masterpiece necklace with Akoya pearls and diamonds

Yoko London masterpiece necklace with Akoya pearls and diamonds

The new ‘Starlight’ collection includes pieces with miniature colourless diamonds. They sparkle like stars in the night sky, and the muted glow of the pearls they’re interspersed with creates a rapturous contrast.

Yoko London Starlight collection earrings with 1.54 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

Yoko London Starlight collection earrings with 1.54 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

 Yoko London Starlight collection earrings with 1.33 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

Yoko London Starlight collection earrings with 1.33 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

 Yoko London Starlight collection necklace with 1.06 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

Yoko London Starlight collection necklace with 1.06 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

 Yoko London Starlight collection necklace with 1.04 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

Yoko London Starlight collection necklace with 1.04 cts of diamonds and South Sea pearls

The luxurious ‘Mayfair’ line – exclusively containing jewellery for special occasions – has been enhanced with several new pieces. For me, the stand-out jewel is a necklace with five strands of freshwater pearls, ranging in size from 5.9mm to 9.4mm, embellished with 12.96 carats of diamonds adorning the white gold openwork motifs on either side.

Yoko London Mayfair collection necklace with 12,96 cts of diamonds and Akoya pearls

Yoko London Mayfair collection necklace with 12,96 cts of diamonds and Akoya pearls

 Yoko London Mayfair collection earring with South Sea pearls and 10.10 cts of diamonds

Yoko London Mayfair collection earring with South Sea pearls and 10.10 cts of diamonds

 Yoko London Mayfair collection earring with Akoya pearls and 0.82 cts of diamonds

Yoko London Mayfair collection earring with Akoya pearls and 0.82 cts of diamonds

The new ‘Baguette’ collection is far more concise, with South Sea pearls and diamonds stacked to form the illusion of a larger, single central stone. Michael asserts that this is precisely what their consumers desire: luxury jewellery at the most affordable prices possible.

Yoko London Baguette collection earrings

Yoko London Baguette collection earrings

 Yoko London Baguette collection ring

Yoko London Baguette collection ring

 Yoko London transformable High Jewellery necklace with South Sea Pearls and diamonds

Yoko London transformable High Jewellery necklace with South Sea Pearls and diamonds

 Yoko London transformable High Jewellery necklace with South Sea Pearls and diamonds

Yoko London transformable High Jewellery necklace with South Sea Pearls and diamonds

 Yoko London transformable High Jewellery necklace with South Sea Pearls and diamonds

Yoko London transformable High Jewellery necklace with South Sea Pearls and diamonds

In addition to their permanent collections, YOKO London also brought individual high jewellery pieces to Baselworld. I especially admired how the brand’s designers combined the sheer beauty of precious materials with rare jewellery-making techniques, and in doing so, created several unique necklaces without fasteners. Their bending white gold frames adorn the neck, travelling down the neckline and converging at the base. My absolute favourite choker was made in this fashion, and resembled a cascading waterfall of snow-white pearls and diamonds. Its creation required 107 Akoya pearls between 9.4mm and 4.00mm and 5.05 carats of diamond.

Yoko London High Jewellery one-of-a-kind necklace with pearls and diamonds

Yoko London High Jewellery one-of-a-kind necklace with pearls and diamonds

“With pearls, it is the individuality that makes them a luxury. The exclusivity of having a piece which is unlike any other in the world appeals to everybody,” points out Michael. It’s impossible to disagree with him!

Autore: The New ‘Mediterranean’ Collection Is a Journey to Its Namesake Locale

continue reading

The Psychology of Jewellery: Why We Adorn Ourselves

From the earliest civilisations to contemporary fashion catwalks, humans have consistently sought ways to embellish themselves. Transcending mere decoration, jewellery acts as a powerful expression of identity, status and emotion. Whether it's the intricate beadwork of ancient societies or the minimalist designs of modern artisans, our choices in adornment reveal layers of personal and cultural narratives. 

by Claire Roberts

Gem Renaissance: Insights from GemGenève Talk on Coloured Gemstones

One of the most exciting shifts in the world of fine jewellery today is the growing appreciation for coloured gemstones, especially those beyond the traditional “Big Three” of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. So, when the organisers of GemGenève invited me to do a talk, I instantly knew what subject I was going to touch upon - the rise of colour.

by Katerina Perez

Epic Evolution: Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade 

Miseno is a brand that I have followed closely over the past decade, largely because of its intriguing transatlantic flair that blends Italian heritage and craftsmanship with the pizzazz of New York City. Now, I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection.

by Katerina Perez

A Dazzling Decade: Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Yi Collection

Since celebrating the 10-year anniversary of KaterinaPerez.com in 2023, I will admit to having a newfound appreciation and respect for any fellow business owner who reaches this incredible milestone. It’s certainly not easy to maintain high levels of creativity and craftsmanship, especially with a consistent focus on quality and professionalism.

by Sarah Jordan

Wow Effect: Exploring the Inventive Artistry of Serafino Consoli

While doing my duties as a judge at the 2025 Inhorgenta Awards, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the team behind Serafino Consoli – an Italian brand with a unique claim to fame in the high jewellery world.

by Katerina Perez

Essential Passion: The Artistic Pursuits of Mehragin Rahmati of Mergin Jewelry 

Jewellery can be thoughtful and insular, or it can be effusive and bold and full of character that makes it stand out from the crowd. I would put the colourful and charismatic creations of Mehragin Rahmati into the latter camp because of their attention-grabbing silhouettes, unusual structures, and confident mineral palettes.

by Katerina Perez

Maestro of Masterpieces: New High Jewels in the Picchiotti Classics Collection

Ahead of this year’s Couture show in Las Vegas, Picchiotti has revealed some of the latest additions to its high jewellery repertoire, including new suites in the Picchiotti Classics collection.

by Sarah Jordan

Reasons to Shop: The Moments that Demand a Fresh Jewellery Purchase 

There's no rule that says you need a reason to buy a new piece of jewellery, but sometimes, a little encouragement makes the decision even more exciting. If you're looking for a playful excuse to book your next jewellery appointment, here are a few irresistible reasons to treat yourself.

by Hirshi Sujanti

Grecian Glamour: The Designers Preparing to Spotlight Greek Style at JCK Las Vegas

Recently, I was approached by the organisers of a special ‘Greek mission’ who are supporting 11 independent designers and brands as they seek to make their mark at JCK Las Vegas from June 6-9, 2025. Below, I would like to introduce you to each of the businesses participating in this incredible showcase of Greek design, ingenuity and craftsmanship.

by Katerina Perez

Naked Attraction: The Best High Jewellery of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival 

Here’s a rundown of some of the best Cannes jewellery looks from the 78th annual festival (May 13-24), including the likes of Dakota Johnson, Angelina Jolie, and Natalie Portman, who all make striking jewellery the star of their ensembles

by Sarah Jordan

In Conversation: Discussing Paraiba — The Legacy of a Color with Vogue Singapore

The conversation encouraged both myself and Kevin Ferreira, my co-author, to recall exactly why we wrote Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color, and I am pleased to share more with you below

by Katerina Perez

Semi-Precious vs Precious Gemstones: Why the Old Labels No Longer Work

I can’t count the number of times I’ve asked myself: what really sets so-called precious and semi-precious stonesapart? Is it their rarity? Colour? Durability? Value? Or is it simply tradition—an outdated hierarchy we’ve inherited without question

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Legacy of Love:The Dreamlike Jewels of Emirati Designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani

During our meeting in Dubai, we spoke about the importance of family, the sweetness of finding joy through creativity, and the ability to translate dreamy visions and deep feelings into wearable pieces…

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.