My first set of pearls were from Mikimoto. During a returned from a trip from Jordan, I presumed my driver would put my cosmetic case it in the trunk. My pearls survived a trip to the Middle East which include a flash flood in Petra, the war in Iraq (which I did not attend but was close), the Dead Sea, and my stay with some of the elite families of Jordan who live within fenced in compounds since they are worried about being overthown or robbed), as you probably guessed, my darling pearls were gone! My quest for replacement pearls has lasted about 3 years.
You think shopping for diamonds is confusing, wait until you shop for a nice set of pearls. Several jewelry stores carry a low end brand by Mikimoto, but unless they have the clasp featured above, they are not rated and are not worth the investment.
Well, a little about pearls. This is from the Mikimoto Website:
There are five physical factors that determine the quality of pearls and that are important to understand when buying pearls:
Luster: Only the highest quality pearls with the best luster carry the MIKIMOTO name.
Surface Perfection: A pearl is considered more valuable when the surface imperfections are minimal.
Color: Color is based on preference, but it is always important to find a color that is rich and evenly distributed on the pearl.
Shape: Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most valuable.
Size: Generally, the size of the pearl affects the price.
Mikimoto pearls are rated on the scale above and once you see the AAA pearls, nothing else will really do. My old set was a AA with a slightly pink tint and I loved them. One more thing for my birthday!
20 comments:
I love pearls and I can't wait to buy myself my first set of fabulous Mikimoto pearls! Thanks for all the info!!
I think I would literally die if I had Mikimoto pearls and something happened to them. I have been lusting after a strand of them forever. I hope you get a new set for your birthday!
I have Mikimotos! I got the earrings and matchin bracelet for my 18th birthday and the matching necklace with said clasp for my graduation a few months later. There is NO pearl necklace as wonderful as the real Mikis and they are a lifelond investment you cna pass down through generations!
That is devastating!!! There is nothing like the weight of really nice pearls around your neck :)
I think I would have just died......
Oh my goodness, my heart would have dropped! They survived a trip overseas, but not the drive home! Eeeek!
So you're from Michigan too?! I knew PF was and that's so exciting to have another blogger from the area too! We SHOULD start a group!
I love pearls. My mom has passed her set of Mikimoto pearls to me now...I really cherish them.
Oh no!! Hope you get the perfect pearls to replace them!
Oh no!! Hope you get the perfect pearls to replace them!
Thanks for the info, I hope you are able to get a new set for your birthday! Mikimotos are just so beautiful!
I love pearls! I hate when I lose things - I hope you find some new ones :)
I would like to have a real set of pearls...but for now I wear fake ones. I can't tell the difference - I have a very untrained eye, I guess. A few years ago I went to the Jackie Kennedy exhibit at the Field and was floored that her double and triple strands from her White House years were fakes.
I hope you get them again someday!
My dad gave me my first set of pearls when I graduated from college. I'd die if something happened to them!
Great story!
When we were married, my wife said she always dreamed of getting a "first line" Mikimoto necklace for her 10th anniversary present.
A couple of years later I was flush at the end of the year [for once] and I figured I had better buy the necklace...seven years early. My pal the jeweler said "you'll never make it...you'll do SOMETHING and need them to get out of trouble". They stayed in his safe in that gorgeous red leather box...
I made it. They were a smash hit for our 10th. Many years ago. My wife liked the story almost as much as the necklace!
I hope your replacement is very soon and twice as pretty.
ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com
Every girl needs two things - a set of pearls and a set of diamond studs. I remember giving this advice to an ex boyfriend and helping him shop for pearls for his sister (she was graduating high school). We picked out a set of mikimoto pearl earrings and you better believe she cried - she was so excited!
Oh, I have a similar story. My first set was also from Mikimoto; they were a gift from my Mother. After arriving home from an insane job interview in Los Angeles I realized they were gone. Best conclusion I could come up with was they were lost in the cab.
Despite having another necklace years after this episode, it just isn't the same because they aren't from my Mother. :-(
Great post Miss PPPG, and stay warm!
tp
I do love pearls! My grandmother "grandmama" was from Japan and brought many pearl necklaces over with her. I was fortunate enough to inherate them. When my husband & I split up I did some retail therapy with a purchase of a pearl necklace & earrings. They are nearly perfect and were a great buy! I avoided, like the plague, the Mikimoto store in New York City when I went in December. When Travis asked why, I responded with "I wouldn't have been able to afford to come home or eat while I was there." I was guaranteed to fall in love with something!
Yes! I most definitely would have just died! Hubby gave me a gorgeous set of pearls on the day of our wedding. I told him for our 10th anniversary I want some Mikis! ;) My gorgeous set will do for now. ha ha!
I have three sets if Mikis and I LOVE them. They are really the best investment you can get. I got my first taste of them when I was in high school and I have been in love ever since!
I have three sets if Mikis and I LOVE them. They are really the best investment you can get. I got my first taste of them when I was in high school and I have been in love ever since!
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