Pearls purchase - UK or import?

[PearlShopper]

Morning all, some advice please if any of you can help.

This month it's my and my wife's 30th anniversary, and I'm looking to buy her a pearl necklace as a special present. We're pearl newbs, so I've been doing a bit of research to try and find out what will be the best thing to get in terms of both quality, and not breaking the bank.

Currently considering:

• Mikimoto 18" pearl strand with 7.5-8.0mm A+, and idealy yellow gold (but it doesn't seem like they might have that in stock)
• Pearl Paradise 18" hanadama strand with 7.5-8.0mm, and with an engraved/personalised clasp with our date on it.

From everything I've read, it seems that the pearls in these two will be of roughly equivalent quality - although the PP ones may be slightly better (despite costing less) because of the hanadama grading. I also like the slightly wider selection of clasps, including the option to personalise. I'm also thinking we might get a set (or buy some matching earrings as part of the package).

I've also read that whilst PP hanadama are equivalent quality to Mikimoto, the Mikimoto strand will likely keep resale value better because it's a longer-established and widely-recognised brand; I'm less concerned about that though, as we don't have children and would never sell the pearls, so what matters to me is the quality for wearing, not the long-term investment. I'll admit I also think it's nice that PP is also having its 30-year anniversary this year.

However, it dawned on me this morning that the PP ones will accrue import and VAT tax at customs, which means we'll be paying around £1k in import duties - which narrows the price difference between PP and Mikimoto quite a lot. Paying £1k import tax sounds a lot, but if the end result is something of similar lustre and quality as Mikimoto, we'd end up paying less overall - so it probably makes sense.

I'm still leaning towards the PP option, but I wanted to get others' thoughts on whether I'm looking at this the right way, or if I'm missing anything - or if there are other UK based suppliers I should be considering.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

It sounds like you've thought this through well. Here are a few more things to consider:

Sooner or later the strand will need to be restrung. Strands worn often may need to be restrung as often as yearly. (The thread catches skin oils and cells, pollution and grime generally, and this dirties and weakens it). I have read that to maintain the authenticity/value of Mikimoto pearls, they need to be restrung by Mikimoto. (You can ask them about this to be sure.) Their restringing fees are expensive, especially repeating over the years. The PP strand could be restrung by anyone-- including yourselves. It's easy to string pearls-- many of us do. I have posted a tutorial on how to restring pearls in the Lowly Beaders Club section of this forum.

I would definitely request a Zoom meeting with PP to look at some strands.
If you visit a jewelry store to see Mikis, remember that the store lights bring out the luster to a great extent. My own pearls look a lot more lustrous under store lights.

If you decide to buy the Mikimotos, be sure to keep all the paperwork and packaging. I know you don't plan to resell them, but if you ever change your mind, it will be essential to have those.

Also ask what the return policy is for Mikimoto. I have read that they allow exchanges not but returns if bought from a Mikimoto store but that if you buy online you have 2 weeks to return it. I don't know if this is the current policy but definitely ask before you buy. PP has a generous return policy (but of course you'd be shipping back to the USA and would likely lose your Customs fees.) All the more reason to have that Zoom meeting so you can see and choose the actual strand you'd be buying.

A+ is one of the lower grades for Mikimoto and personally I think a Hanadama strand from PP would be better.
A poster on Pricescope visited a Mikimoto store and took photos of A+, AA and AAA strands side by side. The A+ is noticeably less lustrous --there is more of a difference between the A+ and the AA than there is between the AA and the AAA. The photo is in this post:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/another-mikimoto-aa-vs-aaa-comparison.283550/#post-5342472

Finally, PP has sales. You could get a significant discount if buying during a sale. Get on their emailing list. I realize the anniversary is this month but if the sale price makes a difference, maybe it could be a Christmas/Hanukkah gift instead?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I edited that post a few times so please reread it.

 

[PearlShopper]

Thanks, this is really useful. I suspect the pearls would only be worn a few times a year, but the re-stringing thing is worth considering. I suspect we'd consider doing it ourselves, if the need arose.

And you're right about the Mikimoto return policy - it's statutory UK returns, so 14 days (slightly longer because of the distance selling rules which state that you have to notify them you are intending to return within 14 days, and then ensure they arrive back at the vendor within 28 days, IIRC).

The fact that PP have a 3-month return process does feel much more forgiving when buying online, even if we do have to return at our own cost. And I'm not worried about losing the customs fees - if I return the item within (I think) 3 years, the fees will be refunded to me.

Thanks for the link about the different grades. I think like anything this can become a rabbit-hole; I think we started this with the opinion that £1.5k would be plenty to get an amazing necklace, but once you start reading up and researching, it's clear that (budget-permitting) £4-5k is actually much more like what you need to spend to get something truly special and spectacular. Then I'm looking at £8.4k for Mikimoto and thinking "that's probably getting crazy now" - even though all of this is slightly bonkers.

The sale idea is nice, but we are going on a cruise in early November for our anniversary, and the gala nights on that are going to be a somewhere the pearls will get worn. So unless they have a sale in the first week of October it probably won't work out for us!

(and thanks for the Edits, I've read them all)

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Akoyas have become more scarce and thus more expensive because of mortality of the oysters, for various reasons.

Here is a thought-- are you certain she would prefer akoyas vs. Tahitians, south sea pearls or golden south sea pearls? And round vs. baroque?
Is she being consulted, or is this to be a surprise?

I'm asking because not every woman wants the same thing, and that is a lot of money to spend if you aren't sure what she'd like.

 

[PearlShopper]

All great points. And yes, she's very much involved in the decision - I surprised her with an engagement ring and although she loved the thought, it wasn't her preferred choice. We also wouldn't spend this much without it being a joint decision.

I'm pretty certain traditional white Akoyas is what she's wanting, but we'll go through all the options. I sent her a picture of GSS pearls this morning, and didn't get a "I LOVE THOSE" response, so I don't think they're up her street....!

 

[PearlShopper]

Oh, and PP have replied saying they can include the customs fees onto the purchase invoice so they're paid at point of sale, rather than point of import, which is a great option (I don't like the idea of the pearly languishing in a post-office warehouse while I sort out the paperwork....).

 

[Pearl Dreams]

From all that it does sound to me like PP might be the way to go.

I would be remiss not to make another suggestion. Given that she only would wear them a few times per year, might it be a good idea to consider getting top quality freshwater pearls instead? Edisons, maybe? These are bead nucleated and very lustrous. And larger than the akoyas. As someone who just celebrated her 34th anniversary, I like larger pearls. ("Pearl Shrinkage Syndrome"-- the older we get the more we like larger pearls, haha).

For example, https://www.pearlparadise.com/products/9-0-11-0-mm-white-edison-freshwater-pearl-necklace
And Edison studs: 11.0-12.0 mm White Edison Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings (https://www.pearlparadise.com/products/11-0-12-0-mm-white-edison-freshwater-pearl-stud-earrings)
If she prefers dangles, I imagine PP could do that.

If you do go with the akoyas, they can match the earrings for tone if bought at the same time.
Edited to add thought about dangles.

 

[Amoreperla]

Oh, and PP have replied saying they can include the customs fees onto the purchase invoice so they're paid at point of sale, rather than point of import, which is a great option (I don't like the idea of the pearly languishing in a post-office warehouse while I sort out the paperwork....).

I have no problem paying fees when an item is imported,, but much prefer to prepay them for this reason!

 

[PearlShopper]

Given that she only would wear them a few times per year, might it be a good idea to consider getting top quality freshwater pearls instead? Edisons, maybe? These are bead nucleated and very lustrous.

Definitely worth considering. Although perhaps I'm irrationally biased, but that feels like cheating.... We'll have a look and think.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Cheating? I have a ton of pearls but the one thing I have not bought (new) is round akoyas (I do have a few vintage/graduated akoyas, bought pre-owned). I have white and fancy colored FW, baroque SS, baroque GSS, Tahitians, baroque akoyas and various pendants and earrings. But the price of round/white/straight size (non graduated) akoyas has always put me off. But that's me. I do get the appeal-- my wallet balks.

 

[PearlShopper]

Haha, yes. I mean, with any sensible view the wallet is balking at any of these. But that's half the fun.

We looked at Akoyas in Mikimoto's Bond Street store about 23 years ago, and they are beautiful. But we weren't in a position to be able to afford them then. Feels like as we are, for the 30th, they're there 'proper' thing to do.

If we get an urge to collect more pearls in future, freshwater or GSS will likely be on the list!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Well then go for it -- and don't be surprised if more pearl purchases follow. Pearls are addictive!
After all, celebrations and holidays all continue to come along.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

One more thought: have her try on a 7.5-8.0mm strand somewhere. Any strand, any store, just to see the size on her neck. For me that is a bit on the small side but she may love it. (It is classic size but may not flatter everyone.)
Pearl prices take a big jump at 8mm because akoyas are small oysters and thus there are fewer of the larger pearls of high quality.
Edited.