How to prove these are genuine Mikimoto pearls

[Hilary S.]

Is there any way to prove that Mikimoto pearls are genuine? I inherited my mother's Mikimoto pearl necklace and I am 99.99 percent sure it is authentic Mikimoto. I have an appraisal from 1989 saying as much but no receipt or other paperwork. I tried selling them on eBay and someone bought them (yay!). As required, I sent them and the appraisal to the eBay authenticator, who said the authenticity could not be verified and so the sale was cancelled (boo!). EBay further said the necklace was fake/counterfeit and therefore could not be relisted. I don't believe they are fake but I don't know how to prove otherwise.
Mikimoto does not offer authenticity services and the original jewelry store appraiser is now deceased, according to an online obituary. Does anyone have any advice for how I can prove these are genuine? If not, any advice for how to sell them?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

My understanding is that Mikimoto does indeed certify their necklaces, provided they come with the original clasp. The service isn't cheap, though.
The clasp looks genuine.

In your photographs some of the pearls appear not to be entirely round, as they should be. Is this just distortion from the camera or are some of the pearls actually slightly off round? I ask this because any clasp can be strung onto any pearls, and this may be why the authenticator would not verify them as Mikimoto.

 

[TECS1990]

Generally speaking, the inside of the top part of the clasp is also worked, as in, you can see it from the inside as well. The hook section should also have tiny marks. However, saying that, this is obviously an older necklace, so the marks and clasps may have been somewhat different then. It could be that they are just comparing it to newer models.

The metal looks a little tarnished though, maybe just get a jeweller to test the metal as a start just for peace of mind. But again, could just be from the age.

I imagine even back then Mikimoto would reserve clasps with diamonds for the better strands. So maybe you’ve actually got a great one! The lustre seems good with the usually pink overtones.

 

[ennui]

Please consider that eBay authenticators usually err on the side of caution out of liability. We have no idea who these authenticators are, or their credentials.
If you are motivated to sell, there are other internet auction sites.

 

[Pella]

Unfortunately your claim is not going to be assisted by the valuation because it states that there are 79 pearls and I have now counted the necklace 4 times, and there are only 78 pearls.

 

[Hilary S.]

My understanding is that Mikimoto does indeed certify their necklaces, provided they come with the original clasp. The service isn't cheap, though.
The clasp looks genuine.

In your photographs some of the pearls appear not to be entirely round, as they should be. Is this just distortion from the camera or are some of the pearls actually slightly off round? I ask this because any clasp can be strung onto any pearls, and this may be why the authenticator would not verify them as Mikimoto.

I did check with Mikimoto's New York office but they said they do not authenticate items (they do offer something called a Certificate of Retail Replacement Valuation, which is for insurance purposes, and they charge $400 for this service). As for the shape, they do look completely round to me but I'm no expert! It's so mysterious to me how the eBay authenticator could ever verify a true Mikimoto pearl vs. another high end brand. The clasp, yes, but the pearls are another story I would think.

 

[Hilary S.]

Please consider that eBay authenticators usually err on the side of caution out of liability. We have no idea who these authenticators are, or their credentials.
If you are motivated to sell, there are other internet auction sites.

If you are able to say, what internet auction sites do you prefer for selling Mikimoto? Thank you!

 

[Hilary S.]

Unfortunately your claim is not going to be assisted by the valuation because it states that there are 79 pearls and I have now counted the necklace 4 times, and there are only 78 pearls.

You are right, thank you so much! I just re-counted and there are only 78, not 79 as stated in the appraisal! This alone would have made it not match the description and that would have been enough for eBay to not authenticate them. Do you suppose I should get another appraisal with the correct number of pearls if I try to sell them elsewhere, or simply not include the appraisal I have with any listing I make? I do still take issue with eBay saying they are counterfeit though!

 

[TECS1990]

You are right, thank you so much! I just re-counted and there are only 78, not 79 as stated in the appraisal! This alone would have made it not match the description and that would have been enough for eBay to not authenticate them. Do you suppose I should get another appraisal with the correct number of pearls if I try to sell them elsewhere, or simply not include the appraisal I have with any listing I make? I do still take issue with eBay saying they are counterfeit though!

Just bear in mind the value of these will be much lower than the insurance valuation. Not sure getting another appraisal will help in this case, plus it will set you back as it is costly.

I would imagine for a strand of 7mm pearls, the estimate would be somewhere between $1,000 - $2,000 USD at an auction house. Market places like EBay, 1stDibs etc., usually list higher but it will be a waiting game. You could even try somewhere like Vestiaire Collective.

I run an Asian art department for an auction house and insurance valuation for jewellery are usually based on retail replacement values which are always very high, but sadly actual market values for resale are much lower. Most retail purchases lose more than half their value the moment they leave the front shop, which is sad!

Hope you get a good value for them though!

 

[BWeaves]

These are Mikimoto pearls with the diamond clasp. They're going to sell for more than $1-2K. Try selling on therealreal.com There's a similar necklace being offered for $11k. It hasn't sold at that price, but you can search on other Mikimoto pieces and see if you want to try to sell there.

 

[TECS1990]

These are Mikimoto pearls with the diamond clasp. They're going to sell for more than $1-2K. Try selling on therealreal.com There's a similar necklace being offered for $11k. It hasn't sold at that price, but you can search on other Mikimoto pieces and see if you want to try to sell there.

I think I might have seen that one, but that isn't that one a "Best of the Best" strand? These have the phrase embossed on the back of the clasp. Best of the Best strands come in platinum, and they retail on Mikimoto for $31,773 USD for a strand of 7.5mm, so that necklace is worth it for sure. Why doesn't TheRealReal show labels and marks? I always found that so strange. Sadly listings set on these websites often sit there for so long, and people can list the prices they want, so it's a bit tricky in my opinion.

Also, I realised this strand is on the longer side at 24", so for a better comparison:

16" 7-7.5mm Akoya A+ pearl strand retails for $10,500 USD
18" 7-7.5mm Akoya A+ pearl strand retails for $11,500 USD
32" 6mm Akoya A+ white gold pearl strand retails at $14,000 USD, so about 8" longer.

I just realised browsing different locations that retail prices are more expensive in the US, the above necklace in the UK with bigger 7.5-8mm pearls retails at £8,400 ($11,191 USD), we don't have state taxes, so maybe also why resale prices are higher there. I knew it is definitely cheaper in Japan and Hong Kong locations.

Personally, as someone who hunts down Mikimoto all the time, I would say for an older set of pearls, unless they are in absolute pristine condition, buyers will generally try and find strands that are as new as possible. Hence why I go for certain clasps that I know only appear on newer models.

I would suggest getting a free appraisal from an auction house like Bonhams, Doyle, Heritage Auctions, Sotheby's, Christie's or Philips? They will give you a free valuation over email and that should give you a good idea of market value. Then you can list it as you wish.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I read on Pricescope's Pearl forum that "Best of the Best" is the term used in Japan for the Reserve/AAA strands.
Yssie is very familiar with Mikimoto.
Maybe post on that forum too.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mikimoto-best-of-the-best.285803/

 

[Hilary S.]

I read on Pricescope's Pearl forum that "Best of the Best" is the term used in Japan for the Reserve/AAA strands.
Yssie is very familiar with Mikimoto.
Maybe post on that forum too.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mikimoto-best-of-the-best.285803/

Will do, thank you!