Mikimotos on Ebay

[linda.wald]

After checking the return policy, I decided to take a chance and bought these Mikimotos on ebay:

I took them in to the Mikimoto store for verification and restringing. They told me they really were Mikimotos (whew). While I was there I tried on these beauties:

I really like the alternating large and small. They weren't the highest quality, but I took a fancy to them. Maybe one day! The store was quite an experience in itself -- I was doing a lot of drooling.

 

[MMtwo]

Pretty string Linda. Congrats on the new Mikis!

 

[JerseyPearl]

Beautiful! Linda, since you did a great job on eBay, why not try to find two strands of akoyas, one small one large, and make your own version?

 

[MSC]

Way to go, Linda!

 

[Pearly-Whites]

So pretty!!

 

[baby nurse]

Great find Linda! And the one you tried on is beautiful as well, lovely with that neckline : )

 

[BWeaves]

Great find. Can you tell us more about your e-bay win? What mm size are the pearls and what length is the necklace? Do you know what quality they are? Did Mikimoto tell you?

 

[Katbran]

Very pretty and I like the alternating pearls ! Well done !

 

[CathyKeshi]

Congratulations on your new Mikimoto strand, Linda! That short necklace is a very graceful pairing of alternating larger/smaller pearls

 

[Pareltje]

Wonderful Mikimoto strand, Linda. And what a find!

 

[Sanippy]

Gorgeous pearls, so lustrous!

 

[linda.wald]

The strand I got on Ebay is 33" long and the pearls are 6-6.5 mm. Mikimoto has their own system of quality: A, A+, AA, and AAA. My strand is A, the lowest, but their lowest grade is awfully good. The strand I tried on, with the alternating pearls, is also A quality. The AAAs they showed me were incredible.

Getting a large and a small strand and making my own necklace is a great idea, JP. However, it will be a while before I have the confidence and ability to do justice to pearls of that quality! I'm working on knotting my first strand of pearls (freshwater, with the octobaby clasp). I'll just say that parts of it are better than others. With luck I'll post some pictures in a few days.

Thanks everybody for the kind words!

 

[BWeaves]

OOOOh, 33 inches long and 6.5 mm is VERY wearable. And yes, Miki's lowest quality is still way and above most mall jewelry store pearls.

ENJOY!!! I'm jealous.

 

[JerseyPearl]

Linda, practice makes perfect when it comes to stringing! I am sure you will do a great job. I can't tell you how many times I strung and restrung my very first strand until it was just right. And the octo clasp is my all time MOST FAVORITE clasp. I have so many people ask me about it, whenever I wear my harvest strand (I have named the mermaid Sirena). Can't wait to see your finished work.

 

[pattye]

Super Miki score, Linda! And I also like the alternating size pearl design.

 

[linda.wald]

I just came back from the Mikimoto store, where I picked up my restrung strand and took some pictures. I tried on a AAA strand:

Here is a closeup:

Notice that the clasp has a diamond in the middle, instead of a pearl. The saleslady said that they do that with their AA and AAA strands. It seems odd to me that they of all people would value a diamond higher than a pearl.
As I was taking pictures, she was pulling out more AAA strands:

I was dazzled and drooling.

 

[BWeaves]

Those are glorious, but the prices, wow.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Beautiful, but ouch!

 

[pattye]

Linda, thank you! Great info, prices seem to have tripled or more since I was selling fine jewelry at Nordstrom. Mikimoto was their only pearl line 20+ years ago.

 

[Katbran]

Wow...that luster is so sharp. I was so impressed when I looked at them in the store. Deep pockets needed at that high end... lol