Mimi So Unveils $1.5 Million Cotton Candy Necklace, Marking 30 Years

Thirty years after opening her first shop in Manhattan's Diamond District, Mimi So has introduced what may be the most personal piece of her career: a one-of-a-kind necklace valued at $1.5 million that translates childhood memory into gemological poetry.

The Cotton Candy Necklace, part of So's Signature Collection, is built around an ombré arrangement of unheated, natural pink gemstones set in 18-karat rose gold with pavé diamonds. So described the piece to WWD as "a pink ribbon, a burst of happiness inspired by a nostalgic youth, the joy of tasting pure sugar, accentuated with our signature Bow, which is a reminder, 'You are the gift.'" The inspiration, she said, came from a childhood memory of looking out her window and thinking about "the past, present and looking forward, curious what the future may hold."

The gemstone selection reads like a passport of the pink stone world. Padparadscha sapphires, that rarest of corundum varieties prized for its salmon-pink hue, were sourced from both Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Neon spinels came from Tanzania, imperial pink topaz from Brazil, pink tourmalines from Mozambique, and kunzite from Pakistan. The deliberate choice to use only unheated, untreated stones represents a significant commitment at this price point; heat treatment is industry standard for maximizing color saturation, and forgoing it demands both patience in sourcing and confidence in the stones' natural beauty.

The construction rewards close attention. A detachable drop element allows for multiple styling configurations, while the brand's signature Bow motif anchors the design's thematic core. The clasp closure ends with stepped concentric rectangles, a finishing detail that signals the kind of considered craftsmanship So described as "building one piece at a time."

That approach earned the Cotton Candy Necklace the AGTA Spectrum Buyer's Choice Award, along with an honorable mention in Evening Wear Couture. "To receive recognition amongst other incredible talent in our industry," and from top retailers and editors, "is pretty awesome," So said, noting that peer acknowledgment carries the most weight in a decidedly competitive market. For a jeweler who founded her eponymous brand in 1995, the industry's recognition carries particular resonance. Imagining what she might say to her younger self, So offered: "Wow. I'm happy to see you are still passionate about your dream. That's a piece to be proud of."

With her 30th anniversary underway, So is already looking past jewelry. She plans to launch her own fragrance in 2026, extending her brand's reach into new markets, and suggesting that the restless curiosity she once pressed her face against a window to feel has not diminished in three decades.