The Story Behind HARIO Lampwork Factory and ZUTTO's Exclusive PEARL Series

A collaboration of PEARL and K10, for glass accessories you'll love even more

Christmas season, year-end parties, the New Year holidays, New Year's gatherings, casual parties like reunions, invitations to celebrations, graduation ceremonies, entrance ceremonies... women often find themselves with occasions to "dress up a little." For formal occasions such as weddings and other ceremonial events, pearl accessories are the classic choice, but a pearl necklace or single-pearl piece that reads as distinctly formal jewelry can sometimes feel like the wrong fit for a slightly casual party or a scene where you want to look stylish.

This time, we're introducing new designs in HARIO Lampwork Factory's PEARL series, made exclusively for ZUTTO. We first featured this series back in 2019, and we received many inquiries asking, "When will it be restocked?" Born through a collaboration with Yashima Shinju, a maker of genuine pearls, these special pieces of jewelry blend glass and pearl beautifully. Why not treat yourself for a year of hard work, or gift one to someone special?

A special accessory for adults, uniting glass and pearl

It's often said that pearls have long suited Japanese women particularly well. They lack the flashiness of a large diamond, but they shine with elegance—demure, yet somehow carrying a quiet strength. Buying a pearl necklace with your first paycheck, or receiving one as a gift from your mother at the time of your wedding... pearls are gems we acquire and wear at life's milestones—noble, yet somehow familiar and close to us.

Pearl accessories, which flatter skin of any age, are always a welcome addition no matter how many you already own. We thought that rather than the kind of "formal pearl accessory" worn for weddings and ceremonial occasions, it would be wonderful to have pearl jewelry designed for easy, everyday pairing with a simple T-shirt, knitwear, or denim—making styling even more enjoyable. That thought was the very starting point for creating this exclusive PEARL series.

[Exclusive] PEARL K10 Lunaria ※As this is a sample, the fittings are thicker than on the actual product

For customers who share ZUTTO's philosophy, the luster of genuine pearls is indispensable. Once again, we asked Yashima Shinju, a genuine pearl maker based in Ise-Shima, to select just the right pearls for us. Each is sized to suit its motif, letting you enjoy the beautiful shine of both pearl and glass together.

From left: Lunaria, Jelly Drops, Ume

And this time, we've made an update: the material of the fittings. Previously we used plated chains, but this time we chose K10 fittings and chains, which are less likely to cause allergic reactions and less prone to deterioration.

K10 fittings catch the light and shine more elegantly than plated ones. They're also less likely to cause allergic reactions compared to materials like nickel. Thanks to K10 earring posts, earring fittings, and chains that are gentle on skin even when you sweat, you can wear these pieces with even greater peace of mind.

The new [Exclusive] PEARL series comes in 3 designs × 3 types of accessories

Following on from last time, this new PEARL series was again planned by the same staff member. With the idea that "flowers and plants suit glass so well," she went through much trial and error to find motifs versatile enough for everyday scenes as well as outings.

Wear the crisp bloom of the plum blossom like a talisman: [Exclusive] PEARL K10 Ume

Ume takes its motif from the plump, lovely shape of the plum blossom. This is an updated version, brought into the PEARL series, of a motif that HARIO Lampwork Factory previously sold in limited quantities to coincide with the Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival) season. The plum blossom is a flower of winter into spring, beginning to bloom as early as January for the earliest varieties. It delights our eyes right up until April, when the cherry blossoms burst into bloom all at once. In the graceful, resilient bloom of the plum blossom, we sense the season gradually softening. In a flower that stands firm even against adversity, we see reflected the image of a composed, independent woman.

And don't you feel that this Ume motif seems to transform into whatever flower suits the season you're wearing it in? Cherry blossoms in spring, cosmos in autumn, perhaps. It may well be that it can look like any flower at all, depending on the wearer's own feelings.

The plump, adorable shape is kept from being too sweet thanks to its small size. It's so light you'll forget you're even wearing it—free of any stress. With every movement, the small motif sways gently, and the delicate K10 gold catches the light in flickers.

ーーA gift for someone likeーー

Planning staff member M: "As someone who loves floral motifs, this Ume series is right up my alley. In winter, with hats and scarves wrapped around the face, items tend to accumulate around that area, so I think this kind of size is convenient. If I had to recommend it as a gift, I'd say the necklace. Since it's K10, it's easy for people of any age to wear comfortably, and there's no need to worry about allergies. For everyday outfits, I think it would make a wonderful gift for someone who prefers cute, casual pieces over more polished, elegant ones."

>>【Custom Order】PEARL K10 Ume

The natural beauty known as the money plant, captured in glass: 【Custom Order】PEARL K10 Lunaria

Lunaria is a curious plant that produces flat, round seed pods after its Goudasou flowers bloom. What makes it distinctive is that after the seeds ripen and fall away, a smooth, glossy, silvery-white membrane remains behind like a thin veil. Often used in dried flower arrangements, it's also called the "Money Plant" because of its resemblance to a silver coin.

This time, we commissioned a glass accessory designed to evoke the image of these lunaria pods. We asked the maker to express the distinctive texture and unevenness of the lunaria pod in glass, while still giving the piece enough volume to work as an accessory. After repeated adjustments, the result is an item that lets you enjoy the plant's curious, whimsical shape.

Seen from the front, the pearl peeks in and out of view with a subtle shimmer. When light hits it, it reflects a pearly luster that glass alone could never produce—truly beautiful. Despite the bold size of the motif, it sits comfortably and naturally.

――A Gift for Someone Like This――

Planning staff member M: "Once this project was decided, the very first thing I wanted to make was the 'lunaria' motif. I think it turned out beautifully, capturing both the ease of wear and the distinctive character of the lunaria pod that only glass can express. When I actually wore it, I was surprised at how well it paired not only with dressier outfits but also with casual pieces like low-gauge knits. If it were me, I'd want to wear it when mixing casual with dressier elements, like denim with a tweed jacket. The response from our staff has been great too, and I'd love to give this as a gift to a fashion-loving friend. Given how light it feels despite its size, it's easy to wear, so I'd also recommend it for the mother's generation who tends to favor bold, ornate motifs. And the nickname 'money plant' feels like a nice touch of good fortune too. (laughs)"

>>【Custom Order】PEARL K10 Lunaria

The mysterious shimmer of shell: 【Custom Order】PEARL K10 Jelly Drops

Unlike the previous pieces, this design—called Jelly Drops—uses shell rather than pearl. Ever since we first introduced an accessory that used shell, we were captivated by its unique, softly muted glow when fused with glass, and we knew that if we ever placed another custom order, we wanted to work with shell again. It has a hazy, light-diffusing shimmer that pearl doesn't have. And because each piece is natural, the way the shine and color come through varies slightly from one to the next—which is part of its charm.

Wanting to fully savor the shell's shimmer, we made the motif a little larger. We asked the maker to create a plump, rounded Jelly Drops shape—reminiscent of a plant's fruit, the moment two water droplets merge, or a foreign confection—something both cute and easy for adults to wear.

――A Gift for Someone Like This――

Planning staff member M: "The plump shape of the Jelly Drops gives off a slightly different feel from the Ume or Lunaria pieces, and I made it hoping people would enjoy the process of choosing between them. We made it a bit larger to accommodate mounting the shell, and that turned out to give it a wonderful sense of presence. Shell really benefits from letting in as much light as possible. Personally, I'd recommend this to anyone, but since it's a bit heavier than the other two motifs, I'd especially like to give it to someone who's used to wearing accessories."

>>【Custom Order】PEARL K10 Jelly Drops

The unparalleled beauty of genuine pearl × glass motifs, as revealed through our interview

In introducing these accessories that combine glass with genuine pearl, we sat down to interview the ZUTTO planning staff. Let's uncover the secret behind pairing glass with pearl.

I've always been a fan of HARIO Lampwork Factory's accessories, and I'd been wondering whether we could collaborate on some kind of custom order. We previously did a custom-order event for pierced and clip earrings, and the response from customers was wonderful, so I wanted to introduce something more gift-oriented—simple yet cute pieces that adults could wear, suited to both casual and formal occasions, the kind of accessory that blends naturally into everyday life. That's when the opportunity came up to collaborate with Yashima Shinju on pearls, and the result was exactly the kind of versatile accessory I'd been hoping to create.

I find myself utterly captivated by the delicate glass, the way it catches sunlight and sparkles, revealing so many different expressions. Glass is something familiar to us in everyday life, and most pieces are basically clear and colorless—and I love how that leaves a kind of blank space, letting the viewer form their own impression of it. Glass items might give the impression of being worn mainly in the warmer months, but they can actually be worn year-round, from midsummer to the depths of winter. In particular, all of the motifs featured this time can be worn regardless of season, but I'd especially love for people to use them right now to add a touch of flair to knitwear and scarves.

Yashima Shinju is located in Ise-Shima, Mie Prefecture, the birthplace of pearl cultivation. If you picture a map of Japan, you'll find the large Ise Bay nestled between Aichi and Mie. In this landscape where sea and mountains sit back to back, nutrients are carried directly into the water, and the Akoya pearls that grow amid this rich natural environment are said to be the finest in the world.

At Yashima Shinju, too, working alongside relatives who are pearl cultivation craftsmen, they aim for a method of cultivation that places as little burden as possible on the Akoya oysters, taking the time and care needed to create pearls with a beautiful transparency and luster.

Exactly. Whether it's Christmas or returning home for the New Year holidays, scattering a bit of pearl into those slightly dressed-up everyday moments creates an elegant impression—so I don't think there's anyone who would be unhappy to receive one. The delicate glasswork combined with genuine Akoya pearls makes for a thoughtful gift, and it's the kind of piece that suits almost anyone you might give it to. You can really feel the appeal of natural materials, while also sensing the value of using one cherished item for a long time.

We want you to use it for a long time, so we also offer repairs

HARIO Lampwork Factory accessories come with repair support. If the glass chips, a pearl happens to come loose, a chain breaks, or you notice any discoloration, please get in touch with customer support. We'll confirm the repair timeframe and cost with you. Please feel free to choose these with confidence, even as a gift.

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