Fake Mikimoto pearl clasp?

[Pearlluver81]

These pearls don’t seem like pearls at all. This clasp was on this necklace. So is this clasp fake? The pearls seem like glass but this clasp... Is this a commonly faked clasp? TIA

 

[BeadersSecret]

The clasp appears to be a vintage mikimoto clasp, mixed feelings on the pearls-I reckon they are simulated and a wild guess Majorica
pearls. The way they are peeling Is something I have seen on that type of pearl.

I see this in my repair business, clasps that have been harvested from something else and reused, all the time.

 

[BWeaves]

The clasp looks real. The pearls look questionable. I know I have real Miki clasps on some non Miki pearls because my mother bought two strands of Mikis and had them strung together with a fancier clasp. She then reused the Miki clasps on other akoya pearls she had in her collection. The Miki clasps are very easy to work. If I ever decide to sell the strands, I will remove the Miki clasps to avoid any confusion.

 

[amti]

I can't say whether or not the clasp is real or fake. I know there are fakes. The new clasps are only in 18K. There are some places that show the differences in fake and real clasps, so I'd google if I was concerned. As far as the pearls, there's no way to tell either. Those pearls have not been taken care of properly and the grime, sweat, perfume, or whatever have probably destroyed part of the nacre. Have you tried washing the pearls to see if there's some grime caked on the pearls instead of the nacre peeling? Beautiful pearls will loose their value if they are not cared for properly. Here's a good example of one of the many fake mikis: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Noblest-AA...d=182600912768&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[BWeaves]

Amti: Wow, that's interesting. I thought the AAA Mikis came with a clasp that had a diamond instead of a pearl. I would not have caught the 14K vs. 18K on the clasp. Good to know. I'm going to check my clasps when I get home.

 

[amti]

BWeaves, That is a fake Mikimoto. They never mention Mikimoto in the auction because it isn't a Miki. However, anyone who knows Miki can look at that and see that the clasp is an almost identical copy. It could be the picture is a real Miki but I can guarantee you that this is not what you'd receive when you get your pearls. I have seen silver versions of this clasp too.

 

[MonicaB]

Hi, is clasp a fake mikimoto?

 

[pattye]

Hi Monika,
The Miki logo is the shell with M inside, which would be on the back of the other piece of a genuine Miki clasp. Do you have a photo of that and also a good photo of the pearls?

 

[MonicaB]

Hi, thank you for responding. I should receive the pearls this week and I will take and send you the pictures. What I do know is that they are 1920’s 30’s. On the clasp body they’re a Sterling and M mark.

Regards Monica

 

[pattye]

We all look forward to seeing more photos, thank you, Monica.

 

[MonicaB]

Hi, it’s 3.30 am in the UK. I am awake due to my cat waking me up. I am receiving the necklace today. I look forward to your responses.

 

[MonicaB]

Hi, they are absolute rubbish. Listed as white - they are gold and are plastic or glass - there is no weight to them. I am returning them. Very disappointed.

 

[MonicaB]

Also, the remind me of pearls from Woolworths 1960’s.

 

[pattye]

Monica, so disappointing about the "pearls" but happy you'll get your money back. That's a common fishhook clasp.

 

[MonicaB]

I’d be embarrassed to ask a jeweller if they are real. The seller said a jeweller confirmed they are real!! I don’t think so. Advertised as White - they are gold plastic or glass. I have real pearls and these fakes don’t come close.

 

[MonicaB]

I paid £84 with postage on EBay. They are not worth a £1. I don’t know how someone could sell them as real pearls let alone Mikimoto.

 

[pearlescence]

If you need a local person to confirm they are not real pearls (so not of the description) to ebay/paypal I'm happy to help

 

[MonicaB]

Many thanks for your offer. There is no way these are real pearls. There’s another seller with the same junk but a bit longer. They are on EBay for £1,400, I was offered them for £293 including postage from the US.

 

[pattye]

There's so much pearl fraud on ebay; it's disgusting. One's chances are so very small of getting a genuine Miki strand at a bargain price.
Are you wanting nice Akoyas, rounds, baroques? A graduated strand? Mikis only?

 

[MonicaB]

Hi again, I bought these pearls a few weeks ago. They tick all the boxes. The clasp is 18 carat Arezzo gold. I took them to my jeweller to have the clasp tightened - they confirmed they are genuine sea pearls