Mikimoto and Flawless Akoya Pearls

[jshepherd]

I haven't seen a AAA strand of Mikimoto pearls at an actual Mikimoto store in a very long time. We have a Mikimoto store in Beverly Hills and I'd been in a couple of times, but they did not have a AAA strand in stock before my visit yesterday.

H. and I were shopping next door and had a bit of time before dinner, so we decided to stop in and check out the akoya.

The salesperson showed us four different strands of AAA. They ranged from 5.5-6 mm to as large as 8-8.5 mm. All four strands had numerous, visible inclusions. The 8-8.5 mm had the fewest, least noticeable marks, but the smaller strands had marks on nearly all of the pearls. The luster was fantastic, I must say. The pearls were true mirrored balls.

I asked the salesperson if something had changed and if this were the AAA1 grade. He responded that it was not the AAA1 but the true AAA, and that they used to carry Gem, but they didn't any more.

[pattye]

Very interesting. Does that store carry some of their other brands or just many grades of Mikis? Their standards certainly seem to have changed.

[jshepherd]

It's the Mikimoto store on Rodeo and Wilshire. It only carries Mikimoto.

[Hanaleimom]

It's the Mikimoto store on Rodeo and Wilshire. It only carries Mikimoto.

This is the picture I took in September 2009. Not sure why my attachment needs approval.

[Admin]

It's the darn software. I still have no idea why it does that some times.

[pearlescence]

sounds like you should sell any shares....brand standards slipping?

[Caitlin]

I have never even heard of a flawless AAA miki yet. Except for the luster, they seem to be a bit of a hype.

[Ashley]

Any more as in ever, or just no stock at the moment due to poor harvests?