[TheresaL]

Hi there,

I am a new member of this forum, i would like to buy Akoya Sea Pearl for my Mom for her birthday. I went to Mikimoto retailor store and took a look at Mikimoto Akoya Sea Pearl - 7*7.5, 33 inch is $4,100. This is my first time to buy sea pearl, I did a lot of reasarches there days, but I would like to hear opinions from the experts here. Thanks. Could anyone please give me some ideas about the quality and price regarding Akoya Sea Peaerl. I am planning to go to Mikomoto Store in New York in a month. Thank you very much in advance.

Regards,
Theresa

[lisamla]

I'm sure others with more knowledge than myself will chime in, but here goes.

The pearls you saw at Mikimoto are most likely A grade. If you want Akoya, you may want to look at getting Hanadama. Hanadama is essentially the best of the best when it comes to Akoya - the very top of the AAA grade. You will find the price of Hanadama comparable to the A grade Akoyas from Miki. Hanadamas from Miki are much more costly than the A grade Akoyas shown on the floor of Mikimoto. A big part of what you pay for when getting Mikimoto is the name. It is a personal preference and that should also be considered.

You may also want to consider some top of the line freshwater pearls, The advantage of freshwater pearls is the nacre - which will most likely last much longer than Akoyas. There is a slightly different look between freshwater and Akoya pearls, again, its a personal preference. There is a picture some where on PG comparing gem quality freshwater and akoya right next to each other and its hard to tell the difference.

Looking around on the forum you will find many questions similar to yours. Definitely spend some time looking at the site and don't forget to read the info about pearls on the left side of the forum.

Look at any of the sellers mentioned on this forum and you should find Hanadama pearls for less than the Miki's. You will also find gem quality freshwater pearls.

Good luck!

[knotty panda]

I normally don't try to push a buyer away from what they have their heart set on. But, PearlParadise has a wonderful strand for a 10th of what you are planning to spend. AAA quality freshwaters in a larger size. I think it's at least worth a look. http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=2233

Or, you can get this longer rope with larger pearls in a better quality from The Pearl Outlet and have enough left over to buy yourself and me a strand too. http://www.thepearloutlet.com/servle...supplierID=490

Or, for just a bit more, The Pearl Outlet will customize two strands of Hanadama for your mother. Now that's bling!

I think what I'm trying to say is, when you buy Mikimotos, you are paying a huge premium for the name but you aren't getting quality for your money.

Shop a bit before you spend. Mikimoto is not the only place to buy pearls, nor is it the best place to shop.

[Sueki]

Hi TheresaL,
Welcome to the foum.
I have to agree with Knotty and Lisamla.
If you buy Miki pearls you are paying for the name.

[Heidi]

Hello TheresaL -

Welcome! It's good that you are doing your research in advance for such a significant gift. I agree with what Knotty Panda, Lisamla and Sueki are saying. It is worth noting that not only are you paying for a brand name with Mikis but you are also paying for a "bricks and mortar"' retailing system. In this day and age, retailers who avail themselves of the internet and word-of-mouth are capable of a better volume to overhead ratio than the traditional model. That is a way of explaining that the core value in pearls you will see from many of the reputable sellers who are also members of this forum is focused in the product more than the media and sales infrastructure surrounding it. For my own experience, I have a gem-grade strand I purchased from Pearl Paradise and it is utterly stunning - I wear it often and proudly and always receive compliments on it.

You can definitely get Hanadama pearls from sellers who share around here, too, as explained by Knotty Panda.

[Caitlin]

Here is the oft-mentioned picture of comparison strands of a gem quality freshwater and a Hanadama akoya.

Mikimoto has developed a Mystique based on the model of De Beers diamonds. What you are paying for is the paperwork and the clasp because the pearls aren't all that great. I think the best pearls go to the really, really high end people. And the stores get most of the non Hanadamas.

Both Mikimoto and Jeremy get their pearls from China as the akoya farms around Japan have failed and gone out of business.

Jeremy, Amanda (Pure Pearls) and Terry all go to China to source a lot of their pearls. Terry (The Pearl Outlet) also carries some of the most marvelous akoyas-grown in Viet Nam, a brand new source. I am especially struck by the natural Akoya colors, white, blue, and pink, silver in multicolor strands that Terry found. The Vietnamese are producing akoyas with quite thick nacre compared to the Chinese. This may change in the future when the bean counters say they will make more money if they leave the pearls in the water for less and less time.

I personally like the gem quality freshwater pearls best, because they look the most like high quality natural, wild pearls from all the centuries before Mikimoto, because they don't have a bead inside. That is changing too as the Chinese have developed techniques to get nuclei in the mussels to reduce the time in the water.

OK, time for the test. Which one is the Hanadama and which is the Freshadama?

[barbie biggs]

TheresaL:
Now that you have seen really great gem quality pearls next to Hanadame Akoya you can choose better between the two. You may still want akoya. They are quite beautiful. Question:
Does your mother have other pearls? Reason: Mikimotos are so expensive for what you get. If you are interested in getting higher quality for less money, reliably, you might try Pearl Paradise or The Pearl Outlet. The Vietnamese Akoya Caitlin was talking about are stunning. If you think your mother would prefer white check out Pearl Paradise. Here's the rundown and a cost comparison. Also, at Pearl Paradise you could consider a foray into a luxury size pearl for your Mom, without getting too big. Say a nice 8mm to 9mm.

AKOYA 18" $1380.00 AA/ $1995.00 AAA
AKOYA 36" $3990.00 AAA

Freshadama 18" $860.00 Gem quality with Orient
Freshadama 36 " $1720.00

A lot of people here on the Guide love the Freshadama because the are so incredibly beautiful, with luster, orient, and everything that a pearl should be. Plus they are 100% pearl. Akoya have an implanted nucleus which implies that they may not hold up for a lifetime or be able to be passed down through the family.

It is of course not my intention to push you in any particular direction. I'm just making suggestions that can help you with your research.
You must be a wonderful daughter to give such a nice gift to your Mom.
Good hunting,
barbie

[TheresaL]

To all,

Thank you so much for your help and advice. The main reason I would like to buy sea pearl for my Mother is sea pearl is not only look wonderful, but also very good to health. I will keep doing hunting around based on all your professional advice and suggestion. And I will seek advice again when needed. Again, thank you so so much.

Regards,
Theresa

[Mikeyy]

You guys just gave me a great idea. Thanks. Reading this forum sure comes in handy.

[knotty panda]

Leave us guessing! How rude!

[barbie biggs]

Theresa L
What is the health benefit of wearing sea pearls? Please tell us.
There are many traditions regarding stones of various types and healing properties. I have always suspected there could be healing properties from pearls, (or negative properties if they lived in poor conditions), but until today I don't remember anyone saying they knew anything about it. Please share with us.
Thank you,
barbie

[La Contessa]

The bottom is Freshadama? Maybe

[TheresaL]

Lisamla & Knotty,

Thank you for your help. Based on your advice and information, I looked through the pearl outlet, and found Japanese Hanadama Pearl Necklaces that i am interested, http://www.thepearloutlet.com/servle...supplierID=490 But how can i make sure its quality and guarantee without physically seeing it.

Lisamla, you said that "I will find the price of Hanadama comparable to the A grade Akoyas from Miki. Hanadamas from Miki are much more costly than the A grade Akoyas shown on the floor of Mikimoto." Do you mean that Miki does not sell hanadama? I was a little bit confused. I assumed Hanadama are sea pearl and the top 1% of the harvest.... How can pearl outlet sell Hanadama at a comparable low price than Miki?

Could you please take a look at the link I attached and let me know where I can do get appraisal? I just want to make sure that I am getting what I am looking for. Thank you very much.

Regards,
Theresa

[robinmce]

Hi Therea
I don't know about prices at miki
But I can tell you that Handama pearls at the pearl outlet (or purepearl, pearl paradise or pearl of joy) will come with a certificate from the pearl science laboratory in Japan. These vendors are all very reputable and have generous return policy should the necklace not suit you.
They all have low costs, buy direct from farms and give us very good prices for purchase. Don't confuse their low cost with low quality!!
They don't mark up the goods as much as retail jewelers
Good luck with your search.
Robin

[Heidi]

Take a look at this article about Hanadama pearls for some more information. The seller you link to is reputable and their Hanadama pearls are, in fact, genuine.

If you feel hesitant about what the strand may look like in person, I strongly suggest you call them and ask all your questions. I have purchased from The Pearl Outlet a number of times and when I call with my questions and unique requests I always get good information and service. Plus, they have a very good return policy.

When you have a chance, could you share with us the health benefits of wearing saltwater pearls?