Early Akoyas

[Nora]

13939

Those beautiful akoya pearls were bought in 1922. There are 99 pearls: the biggest is 7.5 mm. and the smallest 3.3.mm.

I would appreciate any information about the number of farms in Japan or any place else before this year.

[jshepherd]

From 1922??? That is very early!

Mikimoto started commercial cultivation in 1916 and they first appeared publicly in Europe in 1921. According to Strack, there were 33 farms in Japan by 1926, nine of which were owned by Mikimoto.

If the pearls were purchased in 1922, I would say the chances are that they are early Mikimoto pearls from one of his first harvests.

[Nora]

Thank you Jeremy, I suspected they might be Mikimoto's earliest pearls.

Today this strand belongs to Polina, my sister-in-law . Her grandfather was a well-to- do Greek merchant who married on the 18th of March 1923. His wife Polina (my sis-in-law is named after her), received this strand of pearls as an engagement present six months earlier.

[pattye]

Very gorgeous pearls with an impeccable provenance! Are you restringing them?

[Nora]

Yes Pattye, I washed them, restringed them. Now they are with Polina where they belong.

[jshepherd]

Wow! What an amazing find!

[Caitlin]

Thank you for the pix!!! that is a special necklace. so happy to see it here!!

[Ash]

Beautiful pearls Nora! Fabulous find!

Cheers

Ash

[mausketeer]

did you take a photo of the finished strand nora? they're just lovely!

- jodie -

[Nora]

I returned the finished strand to my sister-in-law, but I will take a picture and show it here. Meanwhile I'm attaching a photo of the same necklace from Polina's wedding in 1976.

I have made several phone calls to Athens, trying to find a photo of Polina's grandmother (who she was named after) wearing the same strand, but for the moment no positive results.
Most of the pre-war family photos were lost during their movement from one hiding to another. Taking special care of jewelry was more important than any other personal belonging, as the jewelry could serve to buy food.

14195

[georgwiesauer]

13939

Those beautiful akoya pearls were bought in 1922. There are 99 pearls: the biggest is 7.5 mm. and the smallest 3.3.mm.

I would appreciate any information about the number of farms in Japan or any place else before this year.

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I am just writing a book on pearls, is allowed to use this picutre in my book if note you name an your copyright

Georg wiesauer, A-8010 Graz Stempfergasssee 10 F.G.G. , F.G.A.,
pearl wholesaler gemmologist,