multichrome
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2019
- Messages
- 395
I bought this strand on eBay and received it a couple of days ago. Today’s the first day with sun since then for taking decent photos.
I googled Sakata, and since there’s a real dearth of info, I wanted to add what I’ve learned here. That way when others search they will find out as much as I know, at least.
Anyway, this is an 18” strand of 5mm pearls, Akoyas, I believe. They pass the grit test. I think they have been restrung without French wire—though the certificate dates them as being sold in 1974, the string looks pristine.
Clasp is marked “SILVER”—I suspect it’s 800 silver rather than 925, but I can test later.
I love smaller pearls like this—larger ones lie kind of heavily against my neck and throat. I was sooo pleased at the color and lustre, and also they have a lovely weight in the hand.
I believe there is now a company using the name Sakata that has no relationship to the company that sold these. As far as I can discern, this company was operating during the 1960s and 1970s in Ginza, Tokyo. They may have advertised as an alternative to Mikimoto. In the mid-1970s, when this strand was bought, the yen had sunk hard against the dollar, so it was a favorable time for Americans abroad to purchase Japanese goods. (I know this as a collector of mid-century Seiko watches!)
The strand came with the original silk pouch (also pristine), and the certificate. I’m very pleased with them. After I get more skilled at knotting, I will probably restring them. They need some nice silver-colored French wire to protect the string!
Thank you for looking. I hope that this post will help others coming here to find info on vintage Sakata pearls purchased in Japan. I would love to know anything you could add about the strand—your opinions, more Akoya info, anything. I’m a pearl newb!
Hope all of you have a great day!
Cece
I googled Sakata, and since there’s a real dearth of info, I wanted to add what I’ve learned here. That way when others search they will find out as much as I know, at least.
Anyway, this is an 18” strand of 5mm pearls, Akoyas, I believe. They pass the grit test. I think they have been restrung without French wire—though the certificate dates them as being sold in 1974, the string looks pristine.
Clasp is marked “SILVER”—I suspect it’s 800 silver rather than 925, but I can test later.
I love smaller pearls like this—larger ones lie kind of heavily against my neck and throat. I was sooo pleased at the color and lustre, and also they have a lovely weight in the hand.
I believe there is now a company using the name Sakata that has no relationship to the company that sold these. As far as I can discern, this company was operating during the 1960s and 1970s in Ginza, Tokyo. They may have advertised as an alternative to Mikimoto. In the mid-1970s, when this strand was bought, the yen had sunk hard against the dollar, so it was a favorable time for Americans abroad to purchase Japanese goods. (I know this as a collector of mid-century Seiko watches!)
The strand came with the original silk pouch (also pristine), and the certificate. I’m very pleased with them. After I get more skilled at knotting, I will probably restring them. They need some nice silver-colored French wire to protect the string!
Thank you for looking. I hope that this post will help others coming here to find info on vintage Sakata pearls purchased in Japan. I would love to know anything you could add about the strand—your opinions, more Akoya info, anything. I’m a pearl newb!
Hope all of you have a great day!
Cece
