shape
carat
color
clarity

Mikimoto vs other pearls

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.

rierie26

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
342
My apologies if this has already been covered, but I was curious as to the difference between Mikimoto pearls and other pearls. I saw a display of them today at a jewelry store and they look like any other high-quality pearls that I''ve seen - gorgeous, but nothing that would make me say, "Oh those are Mikimoto". Is there a reason why they''re so coveted that I''m just not seeing or is it more owing to the Mikimoto name (a la Tiffanys)?
 

cushioncutnut

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
5,512
I think you answered your own question... it is mostly because they are well known/branded. I see people bidding on Mikimotos like crazy on Ebay. It would be lovely to have a Mikimoto.....but I will stick with something just as lovely without the price tag...........
 

innerkitten

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 1, 2003
Messages
5,623
The pearls are nice and it''s also the name ( He was the first to commercially culture pearls but I don''t know all the details). You can get pearls of equal quality though elsewhere and for less. I think the really good mikimotos are equal to hanadama grade.
 

acebruin

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
719
basically just the brand i think... what''s the difference between advil and generic brand drug similar to advil? the logo on the box... :D
 

bgray

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 28, 2007
Messages
1,963
i was told mikimoto gets first dibs at the best pearls--like Tiffany. thoughts?
 

Streeter1

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
44
Mikimoto buys from the same auctions as every other processor, but they have the ability to pay more because their margins are high. They also buy from large processors like Otsuki. Tiffany and Co buy from a lot of places but not auctions. They don''t get dibs, in fact most of their pearls are only ok and nothing special. It''s possible to find a commercial grade akoya next to a nice one in the showcases, and because they don''t grade, the price is the same. Their freshwater are mostly ovals and drops ($5-$10 wholesale) and set on silver. With T&Co you are paying for the box.
 

pearlie

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
103
I thought Miki had their own farms, raised their own spats, etc.
 

Streeter1

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
44
Mikimoto only recently started farming pearls again in Ainoshima (Hakata Pearl Culturing Co), and they''ve only just harvested a few this year. Prior to this, Mikimoto was not commercially producing since the 1950s, so none of the pearls they sell today are produced by them. The stuff you see on Mikimoto Island is just a show for tourists. Mikimoto buys like everybody else, keeping the best of the best for the pieces sold at Mikimoto stores, and selling the lower grade stuff as Blue Lagoon, Sea Magic and under a few other names.
 

pearlie

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
103
did not know that, thanks!

julie.
 

cushioncutnut

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
5,512
Date: 12/30/2009 1:42:00 PM
Author: acebruin
basically just the brand i think... what''s the difference between advil and generic brand drug similar to advil? the logo on the box... :D

LOL! So true! Hey Ace... good to see you in the Pearl section!
 

acebruin

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
719
i''ll pop in once in a while...
9.gif
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top