If the IRF buys most of their pieces at Mikimoto's, which seems to be the implication, then we are dealing with cultured pearls. I don't think it's about natural vs cultured, it's just what's available to them, plus it seems the IHA is stingy with money/budget/allowances.
MIKIMOTOA new chapter in our history began when Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in creating the world's first cultured pearl. Natural pearls are extremely rare. In the wild, less than one in a thousand oyster shells may produce a pearl during their lifetime: hence they were a luxury only for the wealthy before the creation of cultured pearls. Kokichi Mikimoto decided to try culturing pearls that are loved by people all over the world. He was a dreamer, and he did not let his dream die. He became the first in the world to successfully culture a semi-spherical pearl in 1893. He continued his attempt to culture many different types of pearls, including black and white South Sea cultured pearls.
Kokichi had a knack for promoting his pearls while surprising the world with amazing creations. Apart from using newspapers and advertisements, he proactively participated in international exhibitions. He did not just show pearls as they were, but always made elaborate presentations to ensure they were extremely eye-catching. Through his efforts, Mikimoto established a strong presence as the pioneer in the cultivation, processing, and sales of pearls in the world.
In 1921, an article was published in a London newspaper claiming that “cultured pearls sold by a certain Japanese merchant are only imitations of real pearls and it is misleading to label them as pearls when they are not.” The attack on cultured pearls as fraudulent became so vehement, developing into a lawsuit later known as “the Paris trial.” Eventually, Mikimoto won the legal battle in the French court, letting. Through this process, Mikimoto and its cultured pearls gained a worldwide reputation.
