Mikimoto?
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CharmedOne
Well-known member
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What a beautiful reminder of your grandmother. They are very nice pearls 
Yes, that is a mikimoto clasp and the pearls look to be akoya pearls. The tarnish on the clasp leads me to believe it is sterling silver. Are the earrings gold? Do they have the same mikimoto clamshell? If so they appear to be mikimoto pearls as well.
Yes, that is a mikimoto clasp and the pearls look to be akoya pearls. The tarnish on the clasp leads me to believe it is sterling silver. Are the earrings gold? Do they have the same mikimoto clamshell? If so they appear to be mikimoto pearls as well.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
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The Mikimotos are very pretty. Such lovely overtone colors! It's a fantastic thing to inherit, congratulations.
How long is the necklace? I count 50 pearls, not graduated. Have you measured their diameter with a mm ruler? We can estimate their size if we know the length of the strand (include the clasp).
I hope you will decide to wear them! It is probably a good idea to have them restrung, as silk deteriorates and weakens over time with wear, and if it broke you could lose the necklace. If the silk is at all stretched out (if there is any gapping in the knots), that is an indication they should be restrung. If the knots all seem tight and clean, maybe your grandmother had them restrung in recent years -- or didn't wear them.
Are those loose pearls in front? If you would like us to comment on them, please photograph them close up on a white paper towel. From here they look like akoyas also.
How long is the necklace? I count 50 pearls, not graduated. Have you measured their diameter with a mm ruler? We can estimate their size if we know the length of the strand (include the clasp).
I hope you will decide to wear them! It is probably a good idea to have them restrung, as silk deteriorates and weakens over time with wear, and if it broke you could lose the necklace. If the silk is at all stretched out (if there is any gapping in the knots), that is an indication they should be restrung. If the knots all seem tight and clean, maybe your grandmother had them restrung in recent years -- or didn't wear them.
Are those loose pearls in front? If you would like us to comment on them, please photograph them close up on a white paper towel. From here they look like akoyas also.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2007
- Messages
- 9,703
Use a loupe (10x magnifier if you have one, or visit a jeweler and ask to use theirs) and look at the metal parts of the earring. I have most commonly seen the metal stamp on the post.
Akoya pearls are the pearls most people think of, when they think of classic pearl strands-- the round, white Japanese-cultured saltwater pearls with a bead inside.
Here is the brief Pearl-Guide article on Akoya pearls, with links:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/akoya-pearls.shtml
And here is a link to the Akoya pearls forum:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3
Akoya pearls are the pearls most people think of, when they think of classic pearl strands-- the round, white Japanese-cultured saltwater pearls with a bead inside.
Here is the brief Pearl-Guide article on Akoya pearls, with links:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/akoya-pearls.shtml
And here is a link to the Akoya pearls forum:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3
