Fake ebay Mikimoto’s? “Vintage 14K M clasp”??

[lulubees]

I was super excited to win the auction for these seemingly beautiful Mikimoto vintage pearls with a gold clasp and mini pearl on the clasp. The clasp has the M hallmark but says “14K” which after much research, could indicate that these Mikis are fake.

I haven’t paid yet but I’m totally gutted that they could be fake. Someone please tell me this isn’t true and that Mikimoto did indeed make 14K clasps at one point?

Here are some photos below

 

[Pearl Dreams]

BWeaves is knowledgeable about Mikimoto...hopefully she will weigh in soon.

 

[lulubees]

BWeaves is knowledgeable about Mikimoto...hopefully she will weigh in soon.

Thank you so much Pearl Dreams! I am trying to desperately convince myself that maybe the clasp says 750 and not 14K... I’ve asked the seller for a better photo of the hallmark on the back to calm my fears

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Call them and ask if they ever had 14K yellow gold clasps with a pearl. They are open now according to their website, until midnight Pacific time.

Call us at 1-844-341-0579
Sun - Thurs, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri - Sat 10:00 a.m. - midnight PST​

 

[linda.wald]

I know Mikimoto has used silver clasps in the past. That they used 14k seems reasonable to me, but I don't know. There are fake Mikimoto clasps out there. I'm sorry not to be of any help.

 

[BWeaves]

I have 2 Mikimoto clasps from my mother's double strand of AA Mikimoto pearls. She had both strands restrung on a double clasp. I have the original single clasps. My sister got the pearls. I got the clasps. Sigh.

The clasps are marked 750, which is 18K gold.





Photo quality of your photos does not allow me to see enough detail in the clasp. But to me, the M is the wrong shape. The outer legs angle out, whereas the M on my clasp are vertical. The number is not 750. The back of your clasp is not the same shape, and there are no horizontal bars on the back of your clasp. I can't see enough detail on the face of the clasp to see if the carving is the same, but I suspect they took more trouble with getting the front right.

I took a couple more photos with a US quarter since that is what they are using for scale.



My clasp looks slightly larger than your clasp.



I would recommend you talk to Mikimoto. I know they used to use silver clasps originally, but I thought they when they switched to gold, that they used 18K only.

Here's a link to Ruby Lane's Mikimoto pearls. The sellers show the fronts and backs of the different clasps. It's good to look just to compare the different clasps they used over the years.

https://www.rubylane.com/search?q=mikimoto&sb=1

 

[lulubees]

I have 2 Mikimoto clasps from my mother's double strand of AA Mikimoto pearls. She had both strands restrung on a double clasp. I have the original single clasps. My sister got the pearls. I got the clasps. Sigh.

The clasps are marked 750, which is 18K gold.

View attachment 72818

View attachment 72819

Photo quality of your photos does not allow me to see enough detail in the clasp. But to me, the M is the wrong shape. The outer legs angle out, whereas the M on my clasp are vertical. The number is not 750. The back of your clasp is not the same shape, and there are no horizontal bars on the back of your clasp. I can't see enough detail on the face of the clasp to see if the carving is the same, but I suspect they took more trouble with getting the front right.

I took a couple more photos with a US quarter since that is what they are using for scale.

View attachment 72820

My clasp looks slightly larger than your clasp.

View attachment 72821

I would recommend you talk to Mikimoto. I know they used to use silver clasps originally, but I thought they when they switched to gold, that they used 18K only.

Here's a link to Ruby Lane's Mikimoto pearls. The sellers show the fronts and backs of the different clasps. It's good to look just to compare the different clasps they used over the years.

https://www.rubylane.com/search?q=mikimoto&sb=1

Oh wow, THANK YOU for the amazing information and attached... the details. The size of the clasp on this one compared to yours is extremely different. I’m feeling very uneasy about this. I guess good thing I haven’t paid?

I am also feeling uneasy because I asked the seller to send me in focus photos of the back of the clasp so I can read what it says below the M and they responded with “K14” but no photos attached... which makes this whole thing seem very fishy..

I’ll give Mikimoto a call just to confirm the 14k vs 18k deal but I think I will pass on this one due to my gut telling me it’s not the real deal.

Thank you for your immense help

 

[lulubees]

Call them and ask if they ever had 14K yellow gold clasps with a pearl. They are open now according to their website, until midnight Pacific time.

Call us at 1-844-341-0579
Sun - Thurs, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri - Sat 10:00 a.m. - midnight PST​

Thank you! I’ll give them a call this weekend to confirm but I’m feeling fishy about this whole transaction

 

[pattye]

I do hope you are able to get additional information from Mikimoto. The pearls themselves appear to be a good quality.

 

[KarinK]

You might also want to keep in mind that even if the clasp is Mikimoto, that doesn't really say anything about the pearls except for checking if they are nice quality akoya pearls.

- Karin

 

[Lady_Disdain]

If you are feeling fishy about it, don't buy. The doubt will hound your mind if you do.

 

[lulubees]

Thanks everyone! The seller did end up sending me two photos of the back of the clasp but I still didn’t pay because I’m a bit uncomfortable. I sent an email to Mikimoto and tried their customer service line but nobody picked up; I probably called too late/after hours so I’ll have to try again!

 

[amti]

The photos you provided are really too small to see details. One thing to remember is that originals will always be very clean fonts and workmanship. If it is sloppy or off centered, most likely it is fake. I have bought items with 14k on them and when the metal was tested, it failed the acid test. Also, BPPD tried to get a collection of Miki clasps, but it seems Mikimoto doesn't really keep a record of their clasps, so it is hard to see the different designs over the years. I thought at one time they used 14k. but I don't recall the design. Do you know what year or decade these pearls are from? My mother's Miki's clasp is 750, 18k too and I think she bought it in the 90s.

I have seen fake Mikimoto clasps on ebay, so do be aware of fakes.

 

[Camelotshadow]

Interesting. I have a silver clasp on mine from the 60/70's. They have had other gold clasps of different designs. I can;t remember k14 or not. That is the most recent clasp design I know of so don't think that one would have come in 14K but can;t be sure.
I had a white gold dress clip from the 50's & it was K9 wg. They did use lower carats but that being a modern type clasp I'd be concerned. Still if you are going to fake a clasp then why not fake it 750? Also as mentioned a clasp does not mean the pearls are Mikimoto. Not even Mikimoto can say if the pearls are Miki but only if they have a Mikimoto quality. As for the quality in the photos which are hard to tell quality of pearls in photos but they look like decent quality. Most sales reps at Miki don't get into clasp designs or authentication. They can just look at the pearl quality. Miki is not interested in grading old pearls as they want to sell you new pearls. A certificate of grade can be paid for as long as it has a Mikimoto clasp. My feeling is that design of clasp should just be 750 but I have no proof either way.

 

[Camelotshadow]

Found one:
Got it a K14 clasp modern design if this is not the strand then its similar. I think that box came after the green so it could be 80's not sure so maybe its OK? Clasp pearl looks like it has better luster than the strand

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MIKIMOTO-7-...TQAAOSwK5tcGp6 0

History
Green velvet box is 60's/70's but that does not mean the necklace came in the box. Miki used Sil for silver...not even sterling back in the 60's/ 70's so they have had unconventional marks. S also was used a silver mark

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/neck...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Pearls above look yellowed & are small grad for this price. Miki used good pearls on silver back in the 60's. I have a 20 in strand that came out A+ quality cream silver 5 to 8.8 mm with the green velvet box but I think they were 70's.

https://emprades.com.au/blog/identif...arl-jewellery/
Seems they used Silver & Sterling marks too.

White gold k14 but different clasp. Marked WG for white gold so its old. Pearl cream & lack luster maybe from age or switched.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mik...gAAOSwGwhgVWjP

8mm & clasp is nice, Big pearls

K14 but different clasp
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mikimoto-84...oAAOSwFe5Xzyxm

WGK14 but I find it unusual that it has the M charm on the strand. They did not come with old strands unless Miki is selling them to put on with restringing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mikimoto-Ak...8AAOSwPFhgTS-6

Fakes could be all around but what you can;t fake is a Mikimoto quality pearl. Clasp does not mean that much as its the pearls that carry the most weight.

Supposed old K14 WG clasp with old box
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MIKIMOTO-PE...MAAOSwkPZc7UrT

K14
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-V...UAAOSwYE9e2YWc

k14 could be mikimoto quality but clasp looks rough
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-V...UAAOSwYE9e2YWc

Seems they did use K14 & pearls appeared to be a high quality so thinking it was Mikimoto.

 

[CortezPearls]

Excellent Detective Work CamelotShadow

 

[Peek-A-Bo0]

I was super excited to win the auction for these seemingly beautiful Mikimoto vintage pearls with a gold clasp and mini pearl on the clasp. The clasp has the M hallmark but says “14K” which after much research, could indicate that these Mikis are fake.

I haven’t paid yet but I’m totally gutted that they could be fake. Someone please tell me this isn’t true and that Mikimoto did indeed make 14K clasps at one point?

Here are some photos below

I have a the same exact clasp on my Mikimoto pearls. They are very much so authentic Mikimoto AA pearls. They came in a red velvet folding case.
There was an auction on Christies in 2017 for a Mikimoto pearl necklace that was stamped with an M and K14. The pearls belonged to former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.
Hopefully this information will help you and others out. The M K14 Mikimoto mark is not very common so I would hold on to those beautiful pearls. https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/...ne/mikimoto-cultured-pearl-necklace-115/50922

 

[Peek-A-Bo0]

By the way these pearls sold for a little over $3800 back in 2017.

 

[CortezPearls]

If you are feeling fishy about it, don't buy. The doubt will hound your mind if you do.

Yup!

 

[CortezPearls]

I have a the same exact clasp on my Mikimoto pearls. They are very much so authentic Mikimoto AA pearls. They came in a red velvet folding case.
There was an auction on Christies in 2017 for a Mikimoto pearl necklace that was stamped with an M and K14. The pearls belonged to former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.
Hopefully this information will help you and others out. The M K14 Mikimoto mark is not very common so I would hold on to those beautiful pearls. https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/...ne/mikimoto-cultured-pearl-necklace-115/50922

View attachment 467077

Good information @Peek-A-Bo0
Thanks for sharing!