Genuine Mikimoto?

[rosewraith]

Hello all,

I have recently come into possession of a pearl necklace. My mother tells me they're genuine Mikimoto, but as they used to belong to my paternal grandmother, I have no information as to their purchase. She was quite the world traveler so it's entirely possible they were actually purchased in Japan, but I have nothing else to go on. (Edit: my dad believes they're pre-1965.)

I doubt they've ever been re-strung; the first 3 pearls on each end appear to be knotted but there's some give in the spacing for the rest of it. They definitely haven't been worn in decades. Looking for advice on where I can restringing done, if anyone knows a place in the South Bay Area (California), as the 7 jewelers I called today in my more specific area do not do pearl restringing, lol.

Assuming I can't find someone local, is it worth sending away to a repair shop online? Any recs there?

Also, my mother thinks I should get them appraised. Is there value in this? Insurance purposes etc.?

Anyway, see below for the photos! They're graduated, with the smallest pearls being 1/8" and the largest 1/4". The clasp does have the M in the oyster, but no other defining traits (numbers or letters).

Thank you all!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

That is a lovely necklace you've inherited!

The clasp appears to be Mikimoto and they are akoyas. Their size range (3mm-7mm) is typical of graduated necklaces sold in wartime Japan (WWII / Korean War era). Many servicemen bought these necklaces for their sweethearts; the necklaces' being graduated kept the price more affordable, since pearls are sold by weight. The necklaces were known as "3.5 momme" or "momme" necklaces (momme is a unit of weight).
I think graduated necklaces continued to be common into the early- to mid-1960s, and some had different size ranges.

Although you could send them to Mikimoto to be restrung, that would be an expensive option.
Pearl Paradise offers restringing services and they are in L.A. Here is a link to their page about restringing:

Do you restring at Pearl Paradise?

Yes, we can restring your pearls! The fee associated with this service will be based on the length of your item and original point of purchase. To have your pearls restrung, please follow these steps: Click here and complete the repair form. Ship t

support.pearlparadise.com

However you could also restring them yourself. Many of us restring our own necklaces-- it isn't hard, and it does save money. If this interests you, have a look at my tutorial:

Thread 'Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro'

Dec 2, 2012

How to string (or restring) your pearls on doubled Pattye's Serafil, Beaders Secret, and Power Pro​

This is not hard-- really! It is harder to describe it than to do it. Anyone can learn to string their own pearls!
If after reading through this, it sounds too daunting, I suggest making a mini-strand for practice first. Make one 12-15 pearls long just so you can practice how to knot the end 3 pearls on each side and attach the clasps; the middle pearls are easy to knot.

To just practice knotting (without bothering with clasps), make an overhand knot, string on a pearl (or...

• Pearl Dreams
• Replies: 379
• Forum: The Lowly Beaders' Club

• 

It sounds like you plan to wear them-- am I right? In my opinion, they do not need to be appraised and insured. But restrung-- yes.

 

[rosewraith]

That is a lovely necklace you've inherited!

The clasp appears to be Mikimoto and they are akoyas. Their size range (3mm-7mm) is typical of graduated necklaces sold in wartime Japan (WWII / Korean War era). Many servicemen bought these necklaces for their sweethearts; the necklaces' being graduated kept the price more affordable, since pearls are sold by weight. The necklaces were known as "3.5 momme" or "momme" necklaces (momme is a unit of weight).
I think graduated necklaces continued to be common into the early- to mid-1960s, and some had different size ranges.

Although you could send them to Mikimoto to be restrung, that would be an expensive option.
Pearl Paradise offers restringing services and they are in L.A. Here is a link to their page about restringing:

Do you restring at Pearl Paradise?

Yes, we can restring your pearls! The fee associated with this service will be based on the length of your item and original point of purchase. To have your pearls restrung, please follow these steps: Click here and complete the repair form. Ship t

support.pearlparadise.com

However you could also restring them yourself. Many of us restring our own necklaces-- it isn't hard, and it does save money. If this interests you, have a look at my tutorial:

Thread 'Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro'

Dec 2, 2012

How to string (or restring) your pearls on doubled Pattye's Serafil, Beaders Secret, and Power Pro​

This is not hard-- really! It is harder to describe it than to do it. Anyone can learn to string their own pearls!
If after reading through this, it sounds too daunting, I suggest making a mini-strand for practice first. Make one 12-15 pearls long just so you can practice how to knot the end 3 pearls on each side and attach the clasps; the middle pearls are easy to knot.

To just practice knotting (without bothering with clasps), make an overhand knot, string on a pearl (or...

• Pearl Dreams
• Replies: 379
• Forum: The Lowly Beaders' Club

• 

It sounds like you plan to wear them-- am I right? In my opinion, they do not need to be appraised and insured. But restrung-- yes.

Thank you so much for the wonderful information!! Yes, I am planning on wearing them-- I'm doing a 50s-themed engagement shoot next month and figured they'd be perfect. I will check out Pearl Paradise for sure; not sure if re-stringing them myself is something I'd like to attempt to be good at given my time frame, but maybe for next time.

 

[BWeaves]

I don't think you need to get them appraised. Get them cleaned and restrung and enjoy wearing them. Don't save them for special occasions. Wear them all the time.