Is it really Kojima? What are these pearls?

[MintyFresh]

I purchased this brooch from EBay for $75. Seller listed it as Kojima but there’s no receipt or identifying marks. However, it was so pretty, I took a chance. Does anyone know what kind of pearls these might be? The brooch measures about 2 inches wide. Perhaps the seller is even a member?

One of the long outer pearls is just a bit loose. Can I glue it myself or should I take it to a jeweler?

 

[jeg]

They are freshwater pearls. I have two brooches purchased from Kojima. I can’t remember off the top of my head, but maybe somewhere around 2013. They were handmade by a woman in Hong Kong. I mostly wear the large one as a pendant, and the smaller one on a wristband. Here are some old photos that I’ve posted before-

 

[kojimapearl]

Hello and thanks for asking about these.. I feel like I should probably chime in on this one.
These brooches are/were made by the sweetest lady in ALL OF HONG KONG (Sorry Terry and Ann). As a family we have been buying pearls from her and her husband (and now their two AMAZING daughters) for decades.
It was explained to me many many years ago that when she was quite young she worked as an embroiderer in China, with a specialty in highly detailed roses.. when she found herself in Hong Kong many years later with pearls all around her.. these fantastically creative brooches were a cake walk in comparison to the fine fine needle work. Always innovating on her designs, I bought and sold these for years and years. I am surely NOT the only person who visited this pearl dealing family in HK and thought these brooches were fantastic... so I can not say if these came through Kojima or not.. but I CAN SAY that the maker is a true treasure and I never leave her booth empty handed.

 

[MintyFresh]

Wow. This place is like the virtual Pearl Smithsonian. Ask and you will get an answer.

Thank you, Jeg, for the fotos. Your brooches are very beautiful (and I’ve noticed your fantastic pearl collection in other posts!!). I love the idea of using the brooch as a bracelet. They need a stiff, heavier fabric for pinning. Maybe I could pin it on an obi-style belt on a dress. I don’t even wear brooches (except an inherited antique cameo) but am so pleased with this one, I’ll make an exception. Speaking of cameos, I wish the back had the flip-up loop like so many old cameos have to convert the brooch to a pendant.

Kojimapearl-Thank you so much for chiming in and for the information. That background makes this whimsical purchase more meaningful. Would you be able to share the maker’s name? Also, your jewelry designs are gorgeous, fabulous, unique and wonderful. I (obviously one in a crowd).

 

[MintyFresh]

I’m actually going to bring this brooch to the very good jeweler around the corner and ask them to add a flip-up loop or bail. According to AI that can be done easily though it will likely cost more than what I paid for the brooch, lol. Worth it!

 

[Pella]

There are slide on converters which slide onto the pin. Do a search for brooch to pendant adaptor/converter. The brooch is very beautiful.

 

[MintyFresh]

There are slide on converters which slide onto the pin. Do a search for brooch to pendant adaptor/converter. The brooch is very beautiful.

Hi, Pella! Thanks for that suggestion. I will take a look.

 

[Amoreperla]

There are slide on converters which slide onto the pin. Do a search for brooch to pendant adaptor/converter. The brooch is very beautiful.

I second this, I bought a bunch on Amazon because in addition to my pearl addiction I collect filigree brooches. They slide on horizontally or you can get vertical ones as well. They great for expanding the ways in wich you can wear them.

 

[MintyFresh]

I looked at the brooch converters. Clever but do the brooches wiggle around on them? I’m a little concerned about the delicacy of my particular brooch (see above reference to loose pearl). Maybe I can stick some silicone beads on the brooch pin to prevent wiggling (of which I generally approve but not for artisan pearl jewelry, lol).

The converter option avoids the possibility of soldering damaging the pearls.

I’m gonna circulate the pic of my cameo for Amoreperla to see later. I inherited it from a very, very dear aunt who passed away 3 years ago now, so I treasure it (my only brooch until now). It’s even got pearls! Teeny, tiny ones in the frame. I think it was made in the 1920s or 1930s.

 

[Amoreperla]

I looked at the brooch converters. Clever but do the brooches wiggle around on them? I’m a little concerned about the delicacy of my particular brooch (see above reference to loose pearl). Maybe I can stick some silicone beads on the brooch pin to prevent wiggling (of which I generally approve but not for artisan pearl jewelry, lol).

The converter option avoids the possibility of soldering damaging the pearls.

I’m gonna circulate the pic of my cameo for Amoreperla to see later. I inherited it from a very, very dear aunt who passed away 3 years ago now, so I treasure it (my only brooch until now). It’s even got pearls! Teeny, tiny ones in the frame. I think it was made in the 1920s or 1930s.

They can wriggle if the pin is horizontal and it’s longer, though you can use silicone earring backs to keep that from happening. If it’s vertical I haven’t experienced wriggle since gravity helps there. And I would love to see the cameo brooch! She must have been a lovely lady.

 

[MintyFresh]

My cameo brooch. I have no documentation. All I know is that my aunt purchased it in Montreal in the 70s from an estate sale. The tiniest pearls all around. It is a little battered but I like to think that adds to the antique charm.

 

[Amoreperla]

My cameo brooch. I have no documentation. All I know is that my aunt purchased it in Montreal in the 70s from an estate sale. The tiniest pearls all around. It is a little battered but I like to think that adds to the antique charm.

It really does add to the charm. It is a lovely cameo. From the pin mechanism I would I guess it may be Victorian. I am not an expert but I think it may be Italian from the shell pattern.

 

[ennui]

I like your cameo, it's beautiful. There's so much delicate carving in the ringlets of her hair.

There is already a tiny loop at the top. You may be able to find a charm clip enhancer bail to create a pendant, which would save you a trip to the jeweler.

If you really want to save, pop over to the local craft store and pick up a packet of jump rings. Not that I would ever do something like that.

 

[jshepherd]

We just did some cameo work for a client. I'd never worked with them before and didn't know much about them. They are fascinating. We created a diamond cage and made a pearl collar out of them.

 

[MintyFresh]

Wow! That is one amazing collar!! And those cameos are so awesome!

 

[MintyFresh]

Ideas, ideas.

 

[CTD]

We just did some cameo work for a client. I'd never worked with them before and didn't know much about them. They are fascinating. We created a diamond cage and made a pearl collar out of them.

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Extraordinary work and stunningly beautiful! Good job, Jeremy!

 

[MintyFresh]

It really does add to the charm. It is a lovely cameo. From the pin mechanism I would I guess it may be Victorian. I am not an expert but I think it may be Italian from the shell pattern.

Amoreperla: You know what? Google AI is the bomb. I uploaded photos of my brooch and it did an analysis and found things I never would/could have noticed. My cameo broach is Italian Edwardian, on carnelian, 10k gold (the AI actually found a hallmark based on fotos!!). The image is Minerva/Athena and she’s got on a helmet with a feather trailing the back of her head (I love this detail because my aunt was a highly educated woman, loved learning). Given its age it is all handmade and the tiny pearls are natural, non-cultivated pearls (probably the only ones I will ever own since they’re so expensive).