This is a vintage necklace of Japanese Akoya salt-water cultured pearls from Mikimoto.
It comes with an original Mikimoto jewelry case. In addition, this item comes with the original Mikimoto outer box made of pink cardboard with the Mikimoto logo. This cardboard box has some stains and damage, but it is very rare to find it included with a Mikimoto necklace.
This is a size-gradation necklace. The largest pearl is 8mm.
Graduated pearl necklaces stand out because of the careful consideration and painstaking work that goes into crafting them.
A series of pearls has to be found with as little as 0.1mm size differences, and they also must be unified in color and quality.
The premium choice in a graduated necklace is a steady and smooth gradation rate from smallest to largest pearls in the center, with little to no variation from pearl to pearl in terms of luster, shape, color, overtone, and surface quality.
This perfectly unified appearance is the most difficult thing to achieve in making graduated pearl necklaces, and it is a hallmark of Mikimoto necklaces.
Mikimoto is the most respected fine jewelry brand in Japan specializing in pearls. The company was founded by Mikimoto Kōkichi, who had invented cultured pearls.
Mikimoto was a royal warrant jeweler from 1924 until a bidding system was established in the late 20th century.
Their most famous items are the imperial family’s tiaras, which are worn by empresses and princesses.
This necklace was re-strung and cleaned by a Mikimoto jeweler, so the condition is like new.
Lifetime maintenance is available at Mikimoto boutiques (depending on the region they may have different services).
They have off-white body color with rose, blue and green overtones, and an aurora-like iridescent glow. The shapes of the pearls are evenly round.
The silver clasp is stamped with an “S” (silver) and the Mikimoto logo (“M” in an Akoya oyster design).
Excellent luster
Excellent surface quality
Excellent nacre quality
Size of pearls:4.2-8mm
Length: 45cm
Total weight:20g
Silver clasp with 3.5mm baby pearl
Mint condition
I have been asked by several customers about how I am able to identify Mikimoto products. I do not assume an item is made by Mikimoto just because it’s in a Mikimoto box.
I am a fan of Mikimoto myself and I collect Mikimoto jewelry. From my experience I judge whether the pieces in my shop are genuine Mikimoto or not based on the quality of the pearls, the Mikimoto stamp on the clasp, and how they are strung and attached to the clasp.
I am confident about judging pearls but to be objective, I use a pearl light for checking nacre quality, an aurora viewer to see the luster, and a UV light to check florescence.
