Megumi's Necklace

The necklace was deceptively simple—an unassuming chain of silver that held a single pendant shaped like a cherry blossom. To Akiko Hanabira, it was the most precious thing she owned. The pendant’s edges were delicately etched, the fine lines of the petals catching the light when it moved. A faint patina had begun to settle into the grooves, giving the necklace a weathered elegance, a mark of its journey through time.

Her mother, Hanabira Megumi +, had worn it for as long as Akiko could remember. It had been a constant presence in her childhood, resting against her mother’s collarbone like a quiet promise of stability. When Akiko turned eighteen, her mother had unhooked it from her neck and fastened it around her daughter’s instead.

“It’s yours now,” she had said, her voice soft but certain. “No matter where you go or what happens, this will remind you of who you are—and who you can be.”

Akiko hadn’t understood the weight of those words at the time. But in the years that followed—after her mother’s death and the chaos that came with Fujimoto Ryusuke’s pursuit—she clung to the necklace like a lifeline. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry. It was her tether to a quieter past, a token of the life her mother had wanted for her, and a reminder that she still had the strength to shape her future.

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This sentimental keepsake is one of the few items from her mother that Hanabira Akiko possesses and the thing that keeps her most grounded in the memories of Megumi.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The necklace features a platinum clasp mechanism designed for durability, yet the fine chain requires delicate handling. Its construction reflects both strength and fragility, mirroring the duality of Akiko’s life as she balances vulnerability with unyielding determination.

Manufacturing process

• Design Sketching:
• The design process began with detailed hand-drawn sketches based on the client’s request for a cherry blossom motif, symbolizing fleeting beauty and resilience.
• Metal Casting:
• The pendant was cast in platinum using the lost-wax casting method, which ensures intricate detail in small-scale designs.
• The chain links were crafted individually, shaped, and assembled by hand.
• Stone Selection and Cutting:
• A master gemologist sourced the pink sapphires and diamond, ensuring each stone met stringent quality standards.
• The pink sapphires were cut to fit the pendant’s petal design, and the diamond received a flawless round cut for maximum brilliance.
• Gem Setting:
• The stones were hand-set using micro-setting techniques, ensuring precision placement and a secure fit. The central diamond was placed last, emphasizing its symbolic importance in the design.
• Finishing Touches:
• The pendant and chain were polished to a mirror finish using multiple stages of abrasive materials and polishing compounds.

History

Commissioned in 1985 by Akiko’s father, the necklace was a wedding gift to her mother. Over the years, it became a symbol of their love and commitment, as well as a cherished family heirloom. The necklace was crafted in late 1985 and completed in early 1986 by a master jeweler in Kyoto. Its design was inspired by the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, a traditional Japanese motif tied to the impermanence and preciousness of life. The luxurious yet deeply personal nature of the necklace elevates it from a mere accessory to a timeless symbol of love, legacy, and resilience. Its creation speaks to the depth of Akiko’s family bonds, while its continued presence in her life underscores her struggle to protect what truly matters. The juxtaposition of its monetary value with its emotional significance adds layers of meaning, making it a powerful representation of Akiko’s journey.

Significance

To Akiko, the necklace represents her connection to her mother and her family’s legacy. It is a symbol of love, strength, and resilience, embodying the values her mother instilled in her and the life she aspires to reclaim.

Item type

Jewelry / Valuable

Creation Date

Spring 1986

Current Location

Nagoya

Current Holder

Hanabira Akiko

Manufacturer

Kyoto Bijou Atelier

Creator

Tanaka Hideo

Related ethnicities

• Japanese | ethnicity

Owning Organization

Family | Hanabira

Rarity

The necklace is one of a kind, commissioned by Akiko’s father, Hanabira Koji, as a gift to her mother. Its uniqueness makes it irreplaceable, both as a keepsake and as a symbol of her family’s history.

Weight

< 20 grams

Dimensions

The pendant is roughly the size of a 100-yen coin, measuring 2.5 cm in diameter, with a chain length of 45 cm.

Base Price

2 million yen (approximately $18,000 USD)

Raw materials & Components

Pendant:

• The pendant is crafted from platinum, chosen for its durability and brilliance. The cherry blossom petals are meticulously encrusted with pink sapphires, carefully selected for their consistent color and clarity. At the center of the flower lies a 0.25-carat diamond, flawless and round-cut, symbolizing enduring love.

Chain:

• The chain is made of fine platinum links, designed for both elegance and strength, ensuring it sits lightly yet securely around the neck.

Tools

The creation of the necklace required precision tools typically used by high-end jewelers, including:

• Micro-setting tools: For placing the tiny pink sapphires securely into the petal design without damaging the stones or the platinum.
• Engraving tools: To etch delicate lines into the petals, giving them a realistic texture. Polishing wheels and abrasives: Used to achieve the pendant's smooth, reflective surface and ensure the platinum chain's gleaming finish.