Mikimotos set in silver?

[xeresana]

I've seen some vintange sterling and pearl pieces with a Mikimoto name on them. Did Mikimoto set pearls in silver? Were they lower quality pearls? Like a "blue lagoon" of today? I just assumed it would be an exclusively gold kind of operation. I've never seen any current Miki pieces offered in silver so it surprises me that there would be vintage pieces with a Miki stamp on them.

 

[Ashley]

Hi Xeresana,

Yes, the Mikimoto Company did in fact do some beautiful pieces in Sterling. They should be stamped with the trademark 'M' in the clamshell and also the standard Sterling mark: .925 (metal purity marker).

This link here shows a popular brooch that I believe has actually been discussed on this forum before: http://www.perrysjewelry.com/servlet/the-1664/Mikimoto-Pearl-Pin-Brooch/Detail

And these are quite lovely! http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/mikpearearin.html

http://www.trocadero.com/mitch0369/items/662940/en1store.html