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The question is how Mikimoto would be hallmarking their pieces sold at Lane Crawford in 1962. That's why I suggested contacting Mikimoto directly, however I don't know what kind of answer they would...

It's gets wrapped into a process called "maeshori" or "pre-treatment". IMHO natural white Akoya's look alot like what silver akoya's would look like if they were bleached.

Raw akoya pearls are...

I would post close up photo's of everything (including the front and back of the clasp), and then state that this is a pearl necklace from Lane Crawford, with paperwork that suggests it may be from...

I have to agree, a set of Mikimoto pearls from the flagship store in Ginza, is quintessentially Tokyo, almost like the flagship Tiffany on 5th Ave. It's an intangible thing, but IMHO worth it.

Assuming the necklace is infact 150 years old, then the pearls are natural, and the orange beads are probably coral.

Get it professionally appraised, as it could be quite valuable.

1. 7mm AA Akoya studs from Mikimoto will always be appreciated. Within your budget you may able to get larger pearls from a different vendor. Mikimoto is very much the original, and very japanese....

Pacific Pearls has a tiny strand in stock, and If you browse yokota pearls japanese website (http://www.yokota-pearl.co.jp) you can see other sub 6mm akoya strands. IMHO pearls for earrings are prone...

They look like freshwater buttons.

Having the original receipt is critical. You may want to try a real B&M auctioneer like Skinner, or Christie's etc, as they will most likely take the item if they think it will go for $10,000+, The...

Possibly, but how many baroque blue grey akoya strands are out there? IMHO dyed freshwaters.

This is the same kind of "synthetic" jewelry that you can find by the truck load on etsy and other...

Don't forget that people put up lots of junk on ebay at high prices. Personally, I'd much rather have an authentic tiffany X clasp.

Anyways, that clasp was originally for a double strand of...

You might want to give it a go, with some silver dip (for the chain) a polishing cloth for the main body. It would probably look very nice if shined up.

Looks like it was a clasp for a double strand of pearls, and it appears older than clasps on "vintage" Mikimoto strands found at rubylane. Almost looks like sterling silver, I would contact Mikimoto...

For some reason the reply with quote feature isn't working.

Anywho, alot depends on how you photograph the pearls (staging, white balance, good macro focus), and under what lighting conditions....

http://www.pearlescence.co.uk/product_info.php/cPath/104_175/products_id/2764

Are these your comperables?

I'm just impressed to see a high end B&M jeweler offering freshwater pearls at the same...

If they are real, and have the clasp they could they could be quite valuable. Have you tried contacting Mikimoto America?

http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/customer-service/assistance-and-contact...

http://www.davidandcompany.com/product_detail.php?product_id=2494312

18 Karat White Gold, Hand Strung And Knotted Necklace Consisting Of 32 Pastel Colored Cultured Fresh Water Pearls Graduating In...

Appraisal and what you could sell them for are two different things. It really helps if you have some evidence of provenance, otherwise one strand of nice Akoya's is pretty much the same as another...

I'm sure that the Australian Coroner or OSHA equivalent will conduct an impartial investigation. The pearl industry in Australia is growing, and its growth/profitability should not come at the cost...

Ragnorak,

I think the best line of inquiry is about how the dive was conducted before the emergency occurred rather than on the response after the emergency, including on if decedent was qualified...

On the question of if AED's should be required.

NOAA Working Diving Standards and Safety Manual. (Which covers working (e.g not scientific) diving conducted by NOAA employee's or Non-NOAA...

I like the "natural white" akoyas, but I really think the standard for pearls if the strand look high quality and looks good on you. Once you leave the world of low-quality, everything starts looking...

High quality akoya's are going to have a wow factor. It's the nature of Akoya pearls. As matter of marketing/customer assurance, vendors may send out high quality strands to get a Hanadama...

That's why I asked about this here. It seemed weird that Yokota was selling some jawdroper strands (his best of AAA) at prices 2-3x what his "hanadama" strands went for, and then there were AA...

Commercial Diving is dangerous work, and would in most cases get you declined for life insurance per se. It's ultimately Paspaley's responsibility to run a safe operation, and that includes making...