Mikimoto Bowtie Clasp in Silver

[shenshen]

recently I purchased two Mikimoto necklaces. One of them is pretty modern and the previous owner got it back in 2013 from the boutique store (modern packaging too and she took a picture of her comparing different strands back in the store), and for the other one, I do not know about the year but the previous owner said they got it from an auction while they were studying in Japan.

The clasp is the bowtie clasp that is identical to the 750 series ones, but they are silver in color and they are signed SIL as well.
The M hallmark in the oyster shell thing looks authentic to me and so do the quality of the pearls. I had some experiences with pearls and have sold freshwater pearls before, so overall I think it is an authentic piece and have no doubt whatsoever until-

recently I sold it on Ebay but Ebay authenticator said that the silver's purity level does not match 925 silver. And this brings me with a lot of alert. I have seen fakes on the market and believed that I could spot them easily, but those are either with blurry engravement or the hallmark is missing etc. Never with the metal purity. Upon checking with the Ebay authenticator, they told me that the pearls are right and so does the hallmark. So now my question is -- is it possible that Mikimoto plate their modern silver clasps with some other material? Or is possible that Ebay authenticator has done a mistake?

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

Of course, either is possible. I would lean toward thinking the Authenticator made a slight mistake. I've had many sellers so frustrated with the authentication process, even when the piece is authentic. But authentication is nice to have when spending so much money...it also weeds out the sellers who are not being honest.
Hope you can figure it out.

 

[BWeaves]

recently I purchased two Mikimoto necklaces. One of them is pretty modern and the previous owner got it back in 2013 from the boutique store (modern packaging too and she took a picture of her comparing different strands back in the store), and for the other one, I do not know about the year but the previous owner said they got it from an auction while they were studying in Japan.

The clasp is the bowtie clasp that is identical to the 750 series ones, but they are silver in color and they are signed SIL as well.
The M hallmark in the oyster shell thing looks authentic to me and so do the quality of the pearls. I had some experiences with pearls and have sold freshwater pearls before, so overall I think it is an authentic piece and have no doubt whatsoever until-

recently I sold it on Ebay but Ebay authenticator said that the silver's purity level does not match 925 silver. And this brings me with a lot of alert. I have seen fakes on the market and believed that I could spot them easily, but those are either with blurry engravement or the hallmark is missing etc. Never with the metal purity. Upon checking with the Ebay authenticator, they told me that the pearls are right and so does the hallmark. So now my question is -- is it possible that Mikimoto plate their modern silver clasps with some other material? Or is possible that Ebay authenticator has done a mistake?

You could contact Mikimoto and ask them if the clasp is authentic.

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

You could contact Mikimoto and ask them if the clasp is authentic.

I have a strand of Mikimoto pearls with the ball-type 1874 dated clasp and when I called Mikimoto to see if they would give me or information about this clasp, they would only authenticate the clasp by my sending the pearls in for this evaluation at a cost of $250 minimum, plus my postage both ways, FED EX insured (so another $300 round trip)...so unfortunately it is not as easy (or cheap) as just calling and asking a question.

 

[BWeaves]

That's a bummer.

 

[pattye]

Silver clasps are often plated with rhodium, and even white gold items. I can't say how that might affect metal testing.

 

[A Breaker]

I am reading this thread, because I have a similar clasp to shenshen. The clasp looks right, the pearls are nice, but there are only knots in between some of the pearls near the neck. Did Mikimoto only knot some on newer pearls, to save $ on the silver clasped ones? Could these be lower quality Mikimoto?


As for the clasp, I'll bet you are right Pattye! The Rhodium will keep it from tarnishing, but Rhodium is problematic in metal testing. Technically you need to cut down to the silver, but no one wants the jewelry ruined, so it ends up not testing right. Some places have x-ray metal testing so they can test rhodium. I even had tarnish make it test lower than 925. (sometimes hard to find a hidden spot to test)

 

[shenshen]

I am reading this thread, because I have a similar clasp to shenshen. The clasp looks right, the pearls are nice, but there are only knots in between some of the pearls near the neck. Did Mikimoto only knot some on newer pearls, to save $ on the silver clasped ones? Could these be lower quality Mikimoto?


As for the clasp, I'll bet you are right Patty! The Rhodium will keep it from tarnishing, but Rhodium is problematic in metal testing. Technically you need to cut down to the silver, but no one wants the jewelry ruined, so it ends up not testing right. Some places have x-ray metal testing so they can test rhodium. I even had tarnish make it test lower than 925. (sometimes hard to find a hidden spot to test)

Hi, thank you for your insight. The knots in between the ones near the neck is very likely to be a Japanese knotting style and it is normal. It is needed to seal the strand. The thread comes back a few (usually 3) pearls at the end of the knotting process.

 

[A Breaker]

Thanks Shenshen...It is really strange to see the knotting only on a few pearls on a Mikimoto...I'll get the photo posted after coffee. There might be smaller knots in between, but they are sure hard to see, if they are there.

 

[massrog]

I'm glad to have this thread to answer my questions about the Mikimoto bracelet we just bought! The three end pearls were knotted but not really in the body.

 

[A Breaker]

Wow!!! That is lovely!!! The blue sets off the pearls!