Advice wanted on these Mikimoto (?) pearls

[Taurus]

Hi

I am new to this forum.

Can anyone advise me as to whether or not the pictured pearl necklace could be Mikimoto? They were supplied with the Mikimoto box, but is this genuine????

I should have taken a pic of the other side of the clasp, but this is fairly simple with just a slightly ridged design. No single pearl.

The clasp is marked 'JKa', and '9ct', as is another pearl necklace subject to discussion on this forum. I am absolutely positive they are good quality cultured pearls.

Cheers

Jane

 

[pearlescence]

What size pearls are these? The knots look huge against them - and slack too..so probably re-strung. At which time, of course, a clasp can be changed.

Is there any reason to think a clasp trademarked JKa would be in fact Miki?

 

[KAC]

well the good news is the box is genuine Mikimoto. The strand, really it is impossible to tell but the clasp is not Mikimoto.

I've seen the "JKA" stamped on a few very low end pieces on Ebay, also the fact that the clasp is 9ct. indicates the piece is low quality. But as Wendy mentioned pearls do get restrung and clasps do get changed.

Have you done a "tooth test" on the pearls to sort out if they are faux pearls or not?

How did you acquire the necklace and box?

Here are a few other items with the "JKA" stamp:
http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-FAUX-PEARL-...temQQimsxZ20090202?IMSfp=TL090202129006r37009

and here:

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Vintage-Art-...-BRACELET_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ250331376796

 

[BeadersSecret]

I was sitting here agreeing to all the points in the previous posts until I reached the second paragraph in KAC's posting.

[insert sound of extension ladder being raised as I climb onto a high horse]

9ct doesnt automatically indicate low quality - Here in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and possibly many other countries once in the sphere of influence of England, 9ct is extensively used - and not just by low end mass makers - but also by top end Artisans.

Will now take the elevator down from the "high horse"

Regards
Bernadette

 

[pearlescence]

I came up against this recently, trying to order some gold findings from China, without thinking I specified 9ct - usual in UK. 'Oh we don't do those' I was told 'just not enough gold in them'
put in my cheapo place, I ordered 14ct....

 

[Nerida]

Yes, I have the same issue.... 9ct is pretty standard in Australia, but I buy most of my findings in HK and so usually buy 14ct.. Personally I don't see 9ct as an indicator of low quality. BTW we rarely see 14ct here, if not 9, then it is 18..
Might need to borrow your ladder Bernadette!

 

[knotty panda]

Thanks for the post, Bernadette. I had mentally put my horse in the stable, then I read your post. 10kt here and people turn their noses up. I used to turn my nose up at gold-filled. Then I started wrapping. But then again, I was once a believer in the Miki myth.

 

[Sueki]

Thanks Bernadette,
I'm far too old to be climbing on to high horses, so I'm grateful for you on yours.
Just to confirm, this is a high-end English piece, Victorian, and hallmarked 9 carat gold.

 

[Caitlin]

Both the pearls KAC found are costume jewelry. Therefore I guess it is a brand name for faux jewelry. Companies don't generally mix offerings of fake and cultured. Fake pearls usually have huge holes and would need a much thicker thread for knotting.

How do they feel when you lightly rub one against the edge of a tooth? You can also rub 2 pearls together and judge how smooth they are. Faux pearl are generally smooth and cultured pearls are very slightly gritty.

 

[GemGeek]

14kt in the USA and 9kt in Australia/UK are the common karatage for most jewelry. 9kt has the advantage of being really tough and stands up very well over generations of wear, so a lot of people prefer it.

 

[dkan 168]

I don't know about yellow gold, however, I believe 9ct White Gold appeared in UK in the last 10-15y or so, when white-metal jewellery became more hip, probably the result of "celebrity culture" - pictures of celebs with their "designer" platinum pieces etc...

When I first arrived in UK in 1979, White Gold jewellery was very limited, full stop.

10k is more common in US, don't see that in the UK. 14k WG is not common in UK either.

In Florence, Italy, the stores that line the "Golden Bridge" only sells 18k White Gold - my kind of jewellery heaven

When I had white gold pieces made recently, I specified for 14k to be used as a minimum. I would buy 9k or 10k jewellery pieces, however, they would be for day to day wear rather than for grander occasions

DK

 

[waimeamomi]

I wish getting 9K or 10K findings was easier here in the US (maybe it is and I don't know it). I'd use that instead of gold-filled. I, like Knotty, used to turn my nose up at GF, but then gold went through the roof. I'd like something in the middle.

As to the strand - knowing the size would be great - story too. Those knots look really large, and have an amateur look to them.

 

[dkan 168]

I guess 9k gold has this "low-end" image as they are sold in pile-them-high lower end high street jewellery and catalogue stores in UK.

DK

 

[pearl-man]

miki or not

miki or not

Caitlin is probably right....questionable cultured considering the hole size. Box and clasps don't mean a thing....neither are made by Miki... clasps they use come from Spain and the boxes who knows. They are a brand name bailed out by the Japanese gov't during the 90's and no doubt again during this depression. I've been competeing against them having started out selling for them in the 60's [read old] . Big hairy deal some folk want the brand, period, nothing I do you do will convince them any different. Go find another customer who appreciates your personal service.

pearl-man