I'm hoping the experienced folks on this forum can help me out.
I'm looking for a nice set of pearls for my wife, and the quality of the mikimoto A+ strands caught my eye. I know they're eye-wateringly overpriced for the quality of the pearls in general, but the A+ and higher strands seem to be better than just about anything else it's possible to easily get in the US. I've seen pictures of what most of the online retailers have to offer, and frankly they just can't match the luster of A+ mikimotos. I've heard good things about Andrew Moline elsewhere on this forum, so I reached out to him and am waiting to hear back. I've also heard of Takahashi pearls, but they don't have a return policy, and these pearls are meant to be a gift. I want my wife to have the option to not like them, even though I expect she will love them.
I'm not really willing to pay mikimoto's retail prices. I decided to check out the secondary market. I came across several listings like this in the $10-$16k range, for purportedly A+ necklaces with documentation:
and this one for for some tiffany pearls, that I don't think are quite up to the same standard as the miki A+ pearls...
While these are all expensive, they are significantly less than retail. Is there any reason to suspect they are fakes?
And is there a less sketchy place to get high-quality 'pre-loved' pearls than ebay?
Thanks!
I'm looking for a nice set of pearls for my wife, and the quality of the mikimoto A+ strands caught my eye. I know they're eye-wateringly overpriced for the quality of the pearls in general, but the A+ and higher strands seem to be better than just about anything else it's possible to easily get in the US. I've seen pictures of what most of the online retailers have to offer, and frankly they just can't match the luster of A+ mikimotos. I've heard good things about Andrew Moline elsewhere on this forum, so I reached out to him and am waiting to hear back. I've also heard of Takahashi pearls, but they don't have a return policy, and these pearls are meant to be a gift. I want my wife to have the option to not like them, even though I expect she will love them.
I'm not really willing to pay mikimoto's retail prices. I decided to check out the secondary market. I came across several listings like this in the $10-$16k range, for purportedly A+ necklaces with documentation:
MIKIMOTO CERTIFIED $51,140 FABULOUS A+ AKOYA PEARL NECKLACE | eBay
<br /><p> MIKIMOTO</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The auction is for a beautiful authentic 18” long Mikimoto Akoya Pearl strand. The size of the pearls is 9.5 - 9 mm. The pearls are all round, white with beautiful pink. A+ grade.</p><p>The strand was never worn. The condition is...
www.ebay.com
$80.6K RARE Mikimoto Certify A+ Akoya ~10mm Pearl 18K YGClasp 18” Necklace+Box | eBay
Fine Mikimoto Akoya pearls makes a Woman eyes sparkle and feel Happy, Beautiful, and Sexy! Each Mikimoto Akoya pearl is as unique as a fingerprint. The pearls have a gorgeous mirror-like luster. If you ever were thinking to give your Love, your Soulmate your wife a beautiful Mikimoto Akoya Pearl...
www.ebay.com
$50K MIKIMOTO CERTIFY RARE A+ SILVER/PINK~9.5mm AKOYA PEARL 18” NECKLACE w/Box | eBay
The Mikimoto Akoya island in Japan has been converted into a Mikimoto history Museum. Own this the best of Mikimoto, finest A+ Grade Pearl necklace and wear as often as you can while you’re young healthy and beautiful The pearls in this stunning necklace were very carefully handpicked for...
www.ebay.com
and this one for for some tiffany pearls, that I don't think are quite up to the same standard as the miki A+ pearls...
Tiffany & Co Estate Akoya Pearl X Necklace 17" 9.5 mm Certified $39,750 211201 | eBay
This necklace is from Tiffany and Co. Top of the line Signature X Akoya pearl collection. This Akoya pearl necklace has been Certified, Inspected, and Appraised by Gemological Appraisal Laboratory. Stone: Fine Quality Japanese Akoya Pearl.
www.ebay.com
While these are all expensive, they are significantly less than retail. Is there any reason to suspect they are fakes?
And is there a less sketchy place to get high-quality 'pre-loved' pearls than ebay?
Thanks!
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