Mikimoto Pearl Necklace Inquiry

[neyzio]

Hello everyone,
I recently received an 18 inch pearl necklace that was given to me as a gift. The necklace is in a Mikimoto box and includes an official certificate of valuation. I have included a picture of the certificate which shows the dimensions of the pearls (6.5x7MM), the color (pinkish white), luster (excellent), quality (AA), clasp setting (18Kt yellow gold), and design number ( U 70318 A K).

I am looking to sell the necklace on eBay but I am rather unsure how much these go for. They paid $4,800 for the pearls in 2005 and have been kept in mint condition since. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Caitlin]

That figure says it is the replacement value. It does not look like a receipt, but an appraisal. They are exquisite pearls. I have not seen that clasp before- not that that means anything, but I would love to see a better picture, and one of the back. Resale on pearls, even Mikis, is not often as high as the original cost.

We do have some Miki lovers on this forum, so let's see who shows up...

 

[neyzio]

It appears to be a diamond in the clasp though I am not 100% certain.

 

[Mary Montpezat]

Beautiful pearls! I had a similar (but double, and AAA appraisal) strand realistically valued at $3,800 recently (albeit with only a silver & pearl clasp), so I'm afraid a single strand would probably sell for much less than that appraisal. A gold clasp would make some difference, but not that much. Do you have a family member, like a niece, you can pass them on to, rather than "losing" money on a sale? I have recently given two of my necklaces away to my nieces, and these would also no doubt be a cherished heirloom!

 

[pattye]

neyzio,

Here's a comparable necklace on the Mikimoto.com site. http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/categories/strands/18-strand-necklace-yellow-gold-clasp.html

Your clasp makes the strand slightly more valuable because of the diamond. The Mikimoto website shows that diamond clasp on a different necklace. It's a lovely necklace, and I think it would sell on ebay if you really want to sell it. Your excellent pictures, certificate and packaging all add value to the package. I'd probably list with a "buy it now" price, rather than an auction. Have you sold items on ebay before?

 

[Bacca]

Did the giver say s/he paid $4800 for them? Because I agree with Caitlin, that looks more like an appraisal document than a receipt, meaning the selling price would have been less. Not that that matters when you can say your item is a bargain because you're asking less than the appraised value. According to the Mimimoto site, a similar necklace would be $6100 now.

I always advise potential sellers to search closed auctions on eBay for similar items. You can see how well they sell and how much people are willing to pay. The advantage you have is that you're selling not just the pearls, but also the box and an appraisal. Plus, the diamond instead of a pearl in the clasp is unusual. Since you have a number for the clasp, you might send off an email to Mikimoto to see if they can tell you anything about it. You may get back actual information or you may be told to go to your local dealer, but it's worth a try.

 

[lisa c]

Hi neyzio! Wow, excellent photos! They'll be a great sales aid. They're beautiful pearls!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

If you do list it on eBay, consider listing it as Auction + Buy It Now (with the starting price no lower than the minimum you would be happy with, to protect your interests in case you only get one bid) rather than just BIN.

Here is why:

Auction + BIN format carries a Final Value Fee of 9% while Fixed Price Listing format carries a Final Value Fee of 12%.

 

[Caitlin]

Thanks for the other clasp photos. I can now see that diamond. This is a very special necklace and Mary is one of the people I hoped would drop by.

 

[Mary Montpezat]

Thanks Caitlin -

Neyzio, it's important to remember that the Mikimoto price is the "highest-end" boutique price. In real-life in the second hand market pearls just don't fetch that sort of price, partly because there's always a risk of fraud (that affects the honest seller) and also because you or I selling on ebay just doesn't have the overheads, cachet or shopping experience that a boutique does, and the buyer knows that! An appraisal will tend to reflect the high-end, retail price. When you sell on ebay, you are basically selling as the equivalent of a wholesale price. IMO you wouldn't get anything close to the appraisal price second-hand - but I would be very happy to be proved wrong! : )

 

[Alex]

what a lovely necklace Neyzio

and at Miki AA !

raises the old Miki AAA versus Hanadama dilemma.... lots here on P-G about that one !

I think you have some good advice above re-selling on second-hand pearls, as it's not always easy to do