Mikimoto A vs. PP Hanadama vs. PP AAA

[Soap]

Hello there!

I know this has been asked before, but the posts I’m seeing are from several years ago. So I wanted to make sure the landscape hasn’t changed too much. Also, this is my first time posting, so please let me know if I need to move the post elsewhere!


Background:

I am looking for a pearl necklace to give to my future wife on our wedding day. She doesn’t have a brand preference.

She wants:

• White pearls
• 6-7mm
• Choker-ish length about 16”

After much research, I’m down to three options (I think).

• Mikimoto A 6-5.5mm
• https://www.mikimotoamerica.com/us_en/16-strand-necklace-white-gold-clasp

• Pearl Paradise Natural White Hanadama
• https://www.pearlparadise.com/colle...m-natural-white-hanadama-akoya-pearl-necklace

• Pearl Paradise AAA
• https://www.pearlparadise.com/colle...-70-mm-18-inch-aaa-white-akoya-pearl-necklace

Unfortunately, I don’t have an unlimited budget. So my price range will top out at around 4k.



My questions are:

• Which do y’all think is better, grade A Mikimoto or Hanadama from PP.
• I know the AAA from PP are lesser quality, but how much less? Are the differences enough to justify spending an extra 2-3k.
• Are there other options in my price range that I should be considering?

Thank you!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Welcome to Pearl Guide!

As your future wife doesn't have a brand preference, I'd skip Mikimoto at that grade level. I'm sure their A grade is very nice -- anything Mikimoto is going to be lovely-- but I believe the natural whites from PP would be even better. You may like to have a look at the photos in this thread about the natural white hanadamas:

Thread 'Hanadama pearls from Pearl Paradise.com'

Nov 22, 2009

I'm afraid my pearl budget is busted for a very very long time, but the good news is that I purchased a strand of certified Hanadama pearls from Pearl Paradise and they are so beautiful that they almost look like they have little lights inside of them.

I did not like akoya pearls before Jeremy showed me a natural-color strand last spring. That was it. I was hooked. Well, I happened to be visiting on the day that they came back from the lab in Japan and I got to pick out my strand in person. As long as I was going to burn in hell, I bought Hanadama earrings and a light-golden akoya...

• GemGeek
• Replies: 81
• Forum: Akoya Pearls

• 

Almost all akoya pearls are bleached and pinked at the factories; the natural whites are not.

By the way, I expect that is an 18" strand. You can have it made shorter, but I would definitely keep the extra pearls, as they match-- if she ever decides to lengthen the necklace (ahem, we sometimes do gain weight ) you would have the pearls to do that with. Or the extras could be used to make matching dangle earrings.

Now, the AAA strand costs quite a lot less. That would be a regular pinked strand. Pinked is fine; they won't look pink against the skin. I find pinked pearls quite flattering; many ladies do, which is why it's standard. Paying less for the necklace would enable you to buy her matching studs if you like, or a bracelet, or both-- and stay within budget.

Really it's a matter of what you want. Would the AAA be less lustrous than the Hanadamas? I would say yes (otherwise why the grade difference) but I'm sure they would be gorgeous anyway.

Consider that these may not be the last pearls you buy for her, if she is a pearl lover. There will always be other occasions for giving pearls.

I like to tell folks to buy the most lustrous pearls you can afford. Luster is everything with pearls.

 

[Soap]

Welcome to Pearl Guide!

As your future wife doesn't have a brand preference, I'd skip Mikimoto at that grade level. I'm sure their A grade is very nice -- anything Mikimoto is going to be lovely-- but I believe the natural whites from PP would be even better. You may like to have a look at the photos in this thread about the natural white hanadamas:

Thread 'Hanadama pearls from Pearl Paradise.com'

Nov 22, 2009

I'm afraid my pearl budget is busted for a very very long time, but the good news is that I purchased a strand of certified Hanadama pearls from Pearl Paradise and they are so beautiful that they almost look like they have little lights inside of them.

I did not like akoya pearls before Jeremy showed me a natural-color strand last spring. That was it. I was hooked. Well, I happened to be visiting on the day that they came back from the lab in Japan and I got to pick out my strand in person. As long as I was going to burn in hell, I bought Hanadama earrings and a light-golden akoya...

• GemGeek
• Replies: 81
• Forum: Akoya Pearls

• 

Almost all akoya pearls are bleached and pinked at the factories; the natural whites are not.

By the way, I expect that is an 18" strand. You can have it made shorter, but I would definitely keep the extra pearls, as they match-- if she ever decides to lengthen the necklace (ahem, we sometimes do gain weight ) you would have the pearls to do that with. Or the extras could be used to make matching dangle earrings.

Now, the AAA strand costs quite a lot less. That would be a regular pinked strand. Pinked is fine; they won't look pink against the skin. I find pinked pearls quite flattering; many ladies do, which is why it's standard. Paying less for the necklace would enable you to buy her matching studs if you like, or a bracelet, or both-- and stay within budget.

Really it's a matter of what you want. Would the AAA be less lustrous than the Hanadamas? I would say yes (otherwise why the grade difference) but I'm sure they would be gorgeous anyway.

Consider that these may not be the last pearls you buy for her, if she is a pearl lover. There will always be other occasions for giving pearls.

I like to tell folks to buy the most lustrous pearls you can afford. Luster is everything with pearls.

Thank you for the insight! I had definitely thought about saving the Hanadamas for a future gift. Do you have any personal experience with the AAA from PP? I'm sure they look wonderful, but I'm just curious.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I don't have any AAAs.
I have a pair of Hanadama studs from them (not natural white) and a strand of baroque akoyas (no grade assigned). Both are pinked, but as you can see, they do not look pink against my skin.

Is your wife-to-be quite petite? The reason I ask is that 6-7mm is a smallish size for pearls. While a petite person might prefer smallish pearls-- or they may be the best size to go with her wedding dress-- there is such a thing as "pearl shrinkage syndrome" --that is, as time goes on, we ladies seem to like larger and larger pearls! Do think about what size she would prefer-- preferably talk to her about it. And read this thread on how much difference 1mm makes:

Thread 'Comparative pearl sizes-- how much difference does 1mm larger really make?'

Dec 15, 2013

Have you ever wondered whether it's worth going up a size when buying pearls (or other round beads)?

Wondered whether the increased cost will be worth it-- and if you'll really be able to tell the difference?

The diameter of a pearl (its size in millimeters) doesn't tell the whole story and can be misleading when deciding what size pearls to buy.
What really matters is not the diameter, but the volume.

Why volume instead of diameter?
Pearls are 3 dimensional (not flat circles on a page as they are pictured)-- volume is all about the 3 dimensional size. How much space the...

• Pearl Dreams
• Replies: 41
• Forum: Cultured Pearls

• 
• 

If budget allows, you might want to go up a bit in size. Akoya prices really jump at 8mm, so you could still go a bit larger and stay within budget if you get AAAs.

I found this necklace at a consignment shop-- akoyas, white gold diamond clasp, 6.2-9.0mm. They are just a little less lustrous than my Hanadama studs (and the color is a bit more creamy). So I tend to think AAA would still be very, very nice.

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

If she is planning to wear the pearls with her wedding dress, she should have a say in size. I know my daughters are 20's-30's and they ALL prefer tiny pearls (or the smaller pearls) like what you are describing. Minimal is in style right now.
If it is merely a beautiful gift, and won't be worn for the actual wedding, then get whatever you like. I'm absolutely sure she will LOVE whatever you select.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

True-- the pearls I wore at my wedding were 6mm, but with an enhancer pendant. That worked for my dress's neckline.
Oh, and my pearls, and the enhancer, were imitation. Nice imitations, the best-- Majorica-- but still fake.
I'll bet a lot of wedding pearls are fake.

 

[BWeaves]

Is she doesn't care about brand, skip the Mikimoto.

Order the natural white Hanadamas and the AAA akoyas from PP and let her try them on next to her skin. Let her decide which she prefers and return one or both strands for a full refund. They have free shipping both ways, and a generous return policy. There's nothing like comparing 2 strands side by side to help make a decision.

 

[Soap]

Oh sorry for going MIA, I didn't see any reply alerts until now. Thank y'all for all the feedback!

Yes, she is planning on wearing them with her wedding dress. We have discussed what size / style, and I have shown her several size comparison charts, and she definitely prefers the smaller ones for now (7mm is the largest she wanted).

I have read about "pearl shrinkage syndrome", but this could work in my favor as I have another gift opportunity down the road .

The side by side comparison might be the way to go with this. I know online pictures don't do these strands justice.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Another option to buying both and returning one is to do a zoom call with PP, and they can show you the two strands side by side.
However, the gold standard test is on her own skin, especially as one is pinked and the other is not.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

It occurs to me to point out that the natural white hanadamas cost 4x what the AAAs do. You could buy a lot more pearls for her with the difference. Just saying.
Also: while the difference in luster between the 2 grades will be evident when they are viewed side by side, she will never be wearing them both, side by side. Whichever strand she wears will be beautiful, all on its own.
Will the hanadamas be more lustrous? Of course! Enough to pay 4x the price, at this time in your lives? Only you and your future wife can answer that.

I say this even though I am a fan of buying the highest possible luster. We live in the real world, with real budgets.

 

[ennui]

I highly recommend a virtual appointment with Pearl Paradise. Look at pearl strands side by side without commitment. If you see something that speaks to you, PP can help with matching items. You can pick up studs, drops, bracelet, etc. for future gifts.