J-pop sensation Yuta Jinguji takes us behind the scenes at MIKIMOTO.
High jewelry creation is a zealously guarded and private art. From the craftsmanship to the rarified materials, the behind the scenes process is often steeped in secrecy and discretion.
Japanese jewelry brand MIKIMOTO is rewriting the playbook with “The Layers of Light,” a content series starring Yuta Jinguji, member of J-pop sensation Number_i. In the audiovisual material, the singer brings viewers inside the MIKIMOTO atelier to experience the creation of custom made high jewelry.
Jinguji, whose reputation has steadily grown beyond the confines of music, offers a rare glimpse into an experience that remains off-limits to the public, guiding them step by step through the creative journey behind MIKIMOTO’s intricate designs.
The Layers of Light
Tapping into his artistic sensibilities, Jinguji worked alongside MIKIMOTO’s jewelry designers to craft a gemstone ring. The design, based on an original sketch by Jinguji, was then transformed into a jewelry piece by the brand’s master artisans.
“Visiting the Mikimoto atelier and seeing the actual jewelry-making process was a very impressive experience,” said Jinguji of the experience. “I was surprised to hear that the jewelry is carefully crafted by hand, and seeing the craftsmen setting diamonds and hand-cutting initials made me realize just how much handiwork goes into creating a single piece of jewelry.”
The finished result was a stunning ring with a portrait-cut aquamarine nestled in a frame of sapphire pavé and black pearls and alexandrite set on the sides. Meanwhile, the singer’s initials rest within the central gemstone.
“This ring was created based on the theme of “overlapping.” An aquamarine sits atop, followed by an initial crafted from platinum, and then a delicately set sapphire, creating a design that evokes the beauty of layers,” explained Jinguji. The singer added that the ring will become a luck charm for him. “Originally, my sketch didn’t include the idea of adding my initials, but the designer’s suggestion made me feel that this ring truly belonged to me. Having my initials on it makes it a one-of-a-kind, special item, and I think I’ll naturally find myself looking at it more often in the future.”
Directed by filmmaker Shotaro Endo, winner of the Japan Film Critics Award for Best Documentary in 2019 and narrated by Jinguji, “The Layers of Light” is an intimate look into the transformation of valuable gems into wearable pieces of art.
You can dive deeper into “The Layers of Light” on the special website www.mypearls.mikimoto.com/thelayersoflight.
