Mikasa Inc. is a world-renowned producer of dinnerware, crystal pieces, and durable yet elegant flatware. In 1948, an entrepreneur named George Aratani started a company called American Commercial Inc. This small California producer was essentially an importer of dinnerware. However, American Commercial Inc. grew quickly, and within two decades, it was supplying major outlets like Macy's and Bloomingdale's with elegant dinnerware.

The company changed its name to Mikasa in 1957. For the next 20 years, Mikasa continued to expand and diversify its wares. In addition to exporting dinnerware to major retailers, Mikasa developed crystal gifts, frames, flatware, and even table linens. These pieces were simultaneously durable, well crafted, and inexpensive to make. As a result, Mikasa outlasted other retail suppliers with greater name recognition.

By 1978, Mikasa had become a powerhouse in its own right. It developed a major distribution facility in Secaucus, NY and expanded by franchising. Today, four out of every five states in the U.S. is home to a Mikasa store, and the brand does crisp export business to Canada, Puerto Rico, and Europe. Mikasa supports distribution centers in South Carolina and Ontario.

All told, today Mikasa has grown tremendously and the company's growth shows no signs of stopping. Mikasa collectors should take note that the company's earliest wares--prior to 1957--tend to be the most valuable. Try to collect full dinnerware sets, not just individual pieces, if you're looking to build a collection that will appreciate in value.