Vintage Mikimoto Blue Pearl 14k Brooch

[prlgrl]

Hello all! I am so happy to be a part of this group. Thank you for welcoming me.

I have collected Mikimoto pearls (as well as others) throughout the years (grandmother started it). I have this vintage Mikimoto brooch that defies all I know about Mikimoto. I've had it for eons and it measures almost 3" long and 2.5" wide and has the Mikimoto maker's mark. The trombone pin tells me that it was most likely made ca. 1900+. The brooch features baroque blue pearls, which I have never seen Mikimoto do before (but I'm sure they must have at some point. You just never see them). The pearls range in size from 5mm to 8mm. I have never seen anything like it before and am hoping someone out there can help shed some light on this piece. I've been wondering about it for years and I'd like to finally put it to rest. My apologies for such in-your-face pictures, it's my first time posting here and am finding my way. Thank you for your time and input!

 

[CathyKeshi]

Welcome prlgrl! I can't shed any light on your Mikimoto brooch, but it is very lovely, and your photos are terrific. Hopefully one of our pearl friends with lots of Mikimoto knowledge will be able to share more information on your piece. I have personally seen one Mikimoto set using baroque blue akoyas: A petite pendant and matching earrings, using intense blue akoyas, set in white gold. Definitely a genuine piece as the lady who owns it traveled to Japan, and purchased on Mikimoto's island

 

[prlgrl]

Welcome prlgrl! I can't shed any light on your Mikimoto brooch, but it is very lovely, and your photos are terrific. Hopefully one of our pearl friends with lots of Mikimoto knowledge will be able to share more information on your piece. I have personally seen one Mikimoto set using baroque blue akoyas: A petite pendant and matching earrings, using intense blue akoyas, set in white gold. Definitely a genuine piece as the lady who owns it traveled to Japan, and purchased on Mikimoto's island

Thank you Cathy. It's like seeing a Susquatch with these Mikimoto blue pearls! I'm surprised there aren't more out there and can only assume that cultivation of the blue pearl did not work out for them or that they simply weren't desired. I did occasionally wonder if someone replaced the original pearls with blue ones, but the detail and time to do this tells me not. It was nice talking to you!!

 

[BWeaves]

WOWZA! I LOVE that brooch. I love blue pearls, and I love the design of that brooch. I've never seen baroque pearls in old Mikimoto pieces, and it's rare to see them use yellow gold. Most of the brooches I've seen have been silver. This is a real treasure.

Oh, and "in your face" photos are our favorite kind. You did well!

 

[BrendaKY]

What a stunning piece!

 

[jeg]

Welcome to the forum, prlgrl! It’s beautiful and a mystery as to the baroque blue Akoya. It’s very unusual to see anything other than round white Akoya in the vintage brooches.

 

[CatMom]

Wow, fabulous brooch prlgrl!

 

[prlgrl]

Thank you Cathy. It's like seeing a Susquatch with these Mikimoto blue pearls! I'm surprised there aren't more out there and can only assume that cultivation of the blue pearl did not work out for them or that they simply weren't desired. I did occasionally wonder if someone replaced the original pearls with blue ones, but the detail and time to do this tells me not. It was nice talking to you!!

Welcome prlgrl! I can't shed any light on your Mikimoto brooch, but it is very lovely, and your photos are terrific. Hopefully one of our pearl friends with lots of Mikimoto knowledge will be able to share more information on your piece. I have personally seen one Mikimoto set using baroque blue akoyas: A petite pendant and matching earrings, using intense blue akoyas, set in white gold. Definitely a genuine piece as the lady who owns it traveled to Japan, and purchased on Mikimoto's island

Like yourself Cathy, I have only seen one vintage Miki blue pearl (silver I think), but that was long ago and I've seen another since.