I recently purchased my wife a 30" AAA 9mm akoya strand from one of the major online dealers. In its own right it is very beautiful and my wife is happy with it, no complaints. From the same dealer I also purchased a pair of earings with AAA akoyas, also beautiful. And last I purchased a ring with a single AAA akoya pearl from another major dealer. Also very happy with it, no complaints.
The other day I couldn't help myself and purchased her a pair of Mikimoto 7.5 - 8mm studs, A+ quality. For about the same price I could have purchased the 7.0 - 7.5mm studs in AAA quality.
Yesterday the Mikimotos arrived. They look great in the box but after comparing side by side to her other AAA akoyas, the Mikimoto studs blow them away. The color is better, the luster is better and overall their appearance is above and beyond the other pearls. I can't imagine how good a AAA Mikimoto would look.
The question is now, what are the other dealers selling as AAA and what is Mikimoto selling as A+? I just priced out Mikimotos 18" 7.5 - 8mm A+ quality and it is almost 90% more than I paid for the 30" 9mm AAA. Mikimoto AAA 18" 7.5-8mm is $19,600!
The Mikimotos are really out of my reach but are anybody's AAA even close?
The other day I couldn't help myself and purchased her a pair of Mikimoto 7.5 - 8mm studs, A+ quality. For about the same price I could have purchased the 7.0 - 7.5mm studs in AAA quality.
Yesterday the Mikimotos arrived. They look great in the box but after comparing side by side to her other AAA akoyas, the Mikimoto studs blow them away. The color is better, the luster is better and overall their appearance is above and beyond the other pearls. I can't imagine how good a AAA Mikimoto would look.
The question is now, what are the other dealers selling as AAA and what is Mikimoto selling as A+? I just priced out Mikimotos 18" 7.5 - 8mm A+ quality and it is almost 90% more than I paid for the 30" 9mm AAA. Mikimoto AAA 18" 7.5-8mm is $19,600!
The Mikimotos are really out of my reach but are anybody's AAA even close?