Post War Mikimoto

[TheTanfieldKid]

My wife has just inherited some Mikimoto pearls from her mother, originally purchased by her Grandfather for her mother just after WW2
We think in 1947 but the last letter in the Birmingham Hallmark is hard to read. But not 1947. 9kt Gold clasp.

The clasp has a very small mark with the letters M P and we believe this was due to Mikimoto understating their brand after the war, even though the box has the company name on it?

I would be very grateful for any information regarding the clasp and stamp mark, my wife has always loved them and now hopes to wear them on special ocassions.

That said, I would also be grateful if anyone could recommend someone who could value them for us so we can think about insurance.

Thank You in anticipation,

Chris

 

[Pearl Dreams]

My understanding is that Mikimoto can give you a certificate of replacement value if you have the original certificate number, if you really feel the need to insure them. However this is a service that is not inexpensive, and you would have to pay to ship them both ways.

If your wife would like to wear them, however, the best "insurance" against loss is to have them cleaned and restrung! Silk thread becomes weak with age and accumulated grime, and can break, leading to the loss of one or more pearls, which would be hard to match to replace. If breakage were to occur on both strands (if one strand breaks, all the weight is on the other strand, which could then also break) the necklace itself could conceivably be lost. Mikimoto can restring at significant cost, or you could have it done less expensively through a local jeweler.

I will add that I think they will also look more lustrous after they are cleaned. Pearl luster is obscured by a patina of skin oils, lotions, and environmental pollution that accumulates over the years.

I hope your wife will wear them freely. Pearls do not need to be saved for special occasions. My opinion.

 

[TheTanfieldKid]

Great advice!
Thank You.

 

[BWeaves]

You've got an original certificate number. That helps a lot. I've never seen that clasp or stamp on the back before. Mikimoto America can probably give you more information.

 

[TheTanfieldKid]

Thank you B. I have contacted Mikimoto UK but they seem reluctant to reply. Except when I asked for a quote to have them re-strung, when they got back to me immediately.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Just a guess but it may be tricky to assign a replacement value to a strand with an amethyst clasp, if they are not making such a clasp any more.

 

[TheTanfieldKid]

Thanks, I understand. It's all down to personal choice I suppose. Only an auction would establish a factual price. It's what people are prepared to pay. I would be happy to know they are genuine Mikimoto and understand why the mark on the clasp is not an M but MP.

 

[TheTanfieldKid]

Just updated my post with some more information and found another necklace on the net with the MP stamp but with a guarantee card. So hopefully our pearls are Mikimoto.

 

[TheTanfieldKid]

Since yesterday I have had replies from Mikimoto UK, but only after enquiring about re stringing and Mikimoto Japan. Neither seem to be able to confirm whether in fact my pearls are genuine Mikimoto and acknowledge the MP in a shell trademark? I have however discovered someone with some pearls featuring the MP in a shell trademark accompanied by a Guarantee certificate.

So why is there no information about the MP in a shell trademark?

 

[TheTanfieldKid]

Mikimoto UK tell me our pearls are not Mikimoto?
Was there a company masquerading as Mikimoto or do they just not know their own history?