Other brands for Akoya besides Mikimoto, Tasaki and Takahashi

[love_pearls]

Dear All,

I have learned a lot from this forum about pearls. Even though at the end of the day, I would still choose branded ones, I cannot help but to leave a message informing people about other companies specialising in Akoya. I have heard a lot about Takahashi but how's that compare to other less known brands?

I mean there got to be more than just Takahashi, Mikimoto and Tasaki in Japan. Have you guys try purchasing from other companies? What's your experience like?

Recently I have come across a video about Pearl Falco and they are specialising in Akoya.
I have never purchased from them but just to inform people about other brands.

I mean when one company comes up again and again in a forum, one cannot help but wonder if the forum is affiliated with a particular pearl farm or a company. I mean a pearl farm can have a few investors right?

Just wondering the reasons why Takahashi? Is it because their pearls are better in quality compared to pearls in other lesser known brands in Japan?

 

[dk168]

Personally, I cannot justify spending that much money on top grade Akoyas myself, and am very happy with my collection of gem quality CFWPs from the likes of PP, PoJ and TPO that I purchased some years ago.

I would not pay through the nose for "branded" pearls.

I started to follow Takahashi on IG based on the good reviews on this board, which led to the purchase of a miss-matched drop shaped pearls.

The communications and transactions were great, they were very helpful and easy to deal with; hence I would highly recommend them myself.

I am not aware of anyone on PS having a vested interest in a particular pearl vendor except for a handful who have pearl-related businesses. However, they are not allowed to promote their own products and services, and are clearly identified as "Trade" in their signatures/avatars/etc...

DK

 

[love_pearls]

Personally, I cannot justify spending that much money on top grade Akoyas myself, and am very happy with my collection of gem quality CFWPs from the likes of PP, PoJ and TPO that I purchased some years ago.

I would not pay through the nose for "branded" pearls.

I started to follow Takahashi on IG based on the good reviews on this board, which led to the purchase of a miss-matched drop shaped pearls.

The communications and transactions were great, they were very helpful and easy to deal with; hence I would highly recommend them myself.

I am not aware of anyone on PS having a vested interest in a particular pearl vendor except for a handful who have pearl-related businesses. However, they are not allowed to promote their own products and services, and are clearly identified as "Trade" in their signatures/avatars/etc...

DK

What about other less known brands that offer akoya at similar price points as Takahashi?

I seldom hear people here talk about other less known brands that are also from Japan.

 

[dk168]

What about other less known brands that offer akoya at similar price points as Takahashi?

I seldom hear people here talk about other less known brands that are also from Japan.

Probably because they are less active and vocal about their purchases?

How long is a piece of string as there are many variables?

DK

 

[pearlsngems]

Here is my round akoya necklace: 6.2-9.0mm, white gold clasp with diamonds. I got them for a song from a local consignment shop. They were needing a bath and restringing, hence the very low cost. The luster is dreamy. Look at the nacre thickness! Older akoyas often had thicker nacre than modern akoyas.
It requires a bit of serendipity, but one can sometimes do well at such shops. Being able to do one's own stringing is very helpful.

Personally I would have a hard time spending a lot of money on pricey round akoyas; even with the better ones, nacre is so thin compared to that of Tahitians and SSP.
I got my baroque akoyas from Pearl Paradise. Baroques cost much less than round pearls and have such wonderful iridescence!

 

[love_pearls]

Here is my round akoya necklace: 6.2-9.0mm, white gold clasp with diamonds. I got them for a song from a local consignment shop. They were needing a bath and restringing, hence the very low cost. The luster is dreamy. Look at the nacre thickness! Older akoyas often had thicker nacre than modern akoyas. It requires a bit of serendipity, but one can sometimes do well at such shops.

Personally I would have a hard time spending a lot of money on pricey round akoyas; even with the better ones, nacre is so thin compared to that of Tahitians and SSP.
I got my baroque akoyas from Pearl Paradise. Baroques cost much less than round pearls and have such wonderful iridescence!

It looks like you have a gradual necklace? I noticed that the pearl in the centre is bigger than the rest. Did you add this one when restring?

 

[pearlsngems]

It is somewhat graduated, and was this way when bought it. I like that the graduation is not severe; if the necklace shifts off center over the course of the day (as all my necklaces do) it is not very obvious.

Compare the graduation of this other akoya strand that I bought at a thrift sale -- it was in among costume jewelry and priced accordingly! It was quite grimy and needed restringing. The center pearl is quite a bit larger than the pearls next to it, and if the necklace shifts off center, it is more obvious. I passed this one along to my daughter.

 

[NY_Resonant]

Dear All,

I have learned a lot from this forum about pearls. Even though at the end of the day, I would still choose branded ones, I cannot help but to leave a message informing people about other companies specialising in Akoya. I have heard a lot about Takahashi but how's that compare to other less known brands?

I mean there got to be more than just Takahashi, Mikimoto and Tasaki in Japan. Have you guys try purchasing from other companies? What's your experience like?

Recently I have come across a video about Pearl Falco and they are specialising in Akoya.
I have never purchased from them but just to inform people about other brands.

I mean when one company comes up again and again in a forum, one cannot help but wonder if the forum is affiliated with a particular pearl farm or a company. I mean a pearl farm can have a few investors right?

Just wondering the reasons why Takahashi? Is it because their pearls are better in quality compared to pearls in other lesser known brands in Japan?

Takahashi, as a family owned wholeseller, has a very attractive price point and high quality — they are also very straight forward in my interactions, which is why I like and have bought from them multiple times. This was after seeing top-grade pearls the day before from Tasaki and Mikimoto in Kyoto. —- hint: You may want to google Takahashi’s current CEO/President and what company he worked at for 20+ years.

With that said, I’ve bought and posted a thread here about Yokota Pearls. This is a one man retail shop in Kobe (City of pearls) that also sells on ebay but will be 30-40% cheaper if you email him directly and negotiate — avoid ebay fees. He is a certified pearl Specialist in Japan (Not that many of them). Very happy with my Tahitian Lagoon certified strand here and his akoya are also very nice — in general his akoya are less pinked than Takahashi’s IMO. I would only buy PSL certified necklaces from him.

There is another large wholeseller with a long history called General Pearl. Some forum members have bought from them and been very happy. I’ve been tempted by this gorgeous tip top necklace of theirs for weeks now:

【テリ評価100点満点・完璧な最高評価に限りなく近い品質】越物オーロラ天女8.5-9mm | GENERAL PEARL

 

[dk168]

I aim to visit Takahashi and other vendors when I visit Japan in 2025, and Kobe is on the card definitely for food and pearl window shopping!

I can't see myself getting a strand of top grade Akoyas as I would rather spend the money on bigger pearls such as Tahitians and South Seas.

Added to say a single strand of 9.5 to 10mm pearls are too small for me nowadays for very formal evening events.

A strand of blue Tahitians is on my bling bucket list.

However, I shan't say no to a nice double strand of 7-8mm blue/grey Akoyas if I win big money on the lottery!

DK

 

[love_pearls]

I aim to visit Takahashi and other vendors when I visit Japan in 2025, and Kobe is on the card definitely for food and pearl window shopping!

I can't see myself getting a strand of top grade Akoyas as I would rather spend the money on bigger pearls such as Tahitians and South Seas.

Added to say a single strand of 9.5 to 10mm pearls are too small for me nowadays for very formal evening events.

A strand of blue Tahitians is on my bling bucket list.

However, I shan't say no to a nice double strand of 7-8mm blue/grey Akoyas if I win big money on the lottery!

DK

Luckily I have small frame and bone structure and I tried on a 8mm single strand at mikimoto boutique and it looks like the necklace was wearing me. That's when I realised that a 7.5 mm is all I need.

I don't aim at collecting every kind of pearls in different colours and different size so that's why 'buy less, buy quality' is my motto.

 

[NY_Resonant]

Luckily I have small frame and bone structure and I tried on a 8mm single strand at mikimoto boutique and it looks like the necklace was wearing me. That's when I realised that a 7.5 mm is all I need.

I don't aim at collecting every kind of pearls in different colours and different size so that's why 'buy less, buy quality' is my motto.

Buy some fake 8mm pearls and wear it for a week — everyday — before going for 7.5mm is my recommendation.

I give it good odds you don’t think they are too big after a week, haha.

 

[love_pearls]

Buy some fake 8mm pearls and wear it for a week — everyday — before going for 7.5mm is my recommendation.

I give it good odds you don’t think they are too big after a week, haha.

Sadly to say, that's visually not possible because I have tried a 7.5 mm AAA and 8mm AA, guess what , the 7.5 mm actually looked as big as a 8 mm because of the lustre the 7.5 mm AAA created thus making it visually look like a 8 mm strand.

That's why a plastic strand can never create that effect for comparison.

I have also tried on a 7mm, it's good for casual wear like a T-shirt and jeans. A 8mm looks very odd paired with my T-shirt and jeans.

A jewellery appraiser once said buy a smaller piece with top quality rather than a big piece with medium or low quality.

I like pearls with both pink and green presented in tones and I can find that in Mikimoto.

Um, even though the CEO is knowledgeable about what he is selling doesn't mean he will not reserve the best for a big brand. After all, hierarchies are still visible in Japanese culture. And Mikimoto is the landmark brand for Japan.

I believe they will do their best to protect this brand.

 

[NY_Resonant]

Sadly to say, that's visually not possible because I have tried a 7.5 mm AAA and 8mm AA, guess what , the 7.5 mm actually looked as big as a 8 mm because of the lustre the 7.5 mm AAA created thus making it visually look like a 8 mm strand.

That's why a plastic strand can never create that effect for comparison.

I have also tried on a 7mm, it's good for casual wear like a T-shirt and jeans. A 8mm looks very odd paired with my T-shirt and jeans.

A jewellery appraiser once said buy a smaller piece with top quality rather than a big piece with medium or low quality.

I like pearls with both pink and green presented in tones and I can find that in Mikimoto.

Um, even though the CEO is knowledgeable about what he is selling doesn't mean he will not reserve the best for a big brand. After all, hierarchies are still visible in Japanese culture. And Mikimoto is the landmark brand for Japan.

I believe they will do their best to protect this brand.

Mikimoto AAA pearls are beautiful, no question. I’ve personally seen PEPCA granpearls that are equal, in my opinion, to Mikimoto AAA though at a fraction of the price.

There is definitely a very large brand mark-up there for what is essentially a commodity.

I’ll buy VCA for their designs or perhaps Mikimoto jewelry but for a simple strand where it’s just the Pearls on a string? That, for me, is not worth the brand mark up.

For people who want quality with an easy “Go here and buy quality” guarantee, where price is no object —- I can see those people going the Mikimoto branded route… But look at @yssie ’s recent post about the $37,000 AAA 9.5mm studs at Mikimoto. THEY DON’T MATCH! I was shocked at that failure in their quality control.

 

[love_pearls]

Mikimoto AAA pearls are beautiful, no question. I’ve personally seen PEPCA granpearls that are equal, in my opinion, to Mikimoto AAA though at a fraction of the price.

There is definitely a very large brand mark-up there for what is essentially a commodity.

I’ll buy VCA for their designs or perhaps Mikimoto jewelry but for a simple strand where it’s just the Pearls on a string? That, for me, is not worth the brand mark up.

For people who want quality with an easy “Go here and buy quality” guarantee, where price is no object —- I can see those people going the Mikimoto branded route… But look at @yssie ’s recent post about the $37,000 AAA 9.5mm studs at Mikimoto. THEY DON’T MATCH! I was shocked at that failure in their quality control.

Mismatched in this size and AAA is to be expected, if customers are looking for perfection or such, then there's always a compromise one way or another. Seriously, for this price just for two pearls, I won't fall for it. My AAA in 9mm mikimoto is also mismatched but I find it acceptable both for the price and the quality. It always seems to me that pearls in the US have higher asking price maybe due to the lack of competitive pearl market there.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Here is my round akoya necklace: 6.2-9.0mm, white gold clasp with diamonds. I got them for a song from a local consignment shop. They were needing a bath and restringing, hence the very low cost. The luster is dreamy. Look at the nacre thickness! Older akoyas often had thicker nacre than modern akoyas.
It requires a bit of serendipity, but one can sometimes do well at such shops. Being able to do one's own stringing is very helpful.

Personally I would have a hard time spending a lot of money on pricey round akoyas; even with the better ones, nacre is so thin compared to that of Tahitians and SSP.
I got my baroque akoyas from Pearl Paradise. Baroques cost much less than round pearls and have such wonderful iridescence!

 

[dk168]

Each to their own with his/her perception of mind-clean.

Hence big brands exist as some would pay through the nose for branded goods, jewellery or otherwise, instead of getting unbranded equivalent as they cannot boost about the brand, etc. etc...

That's my own opinion.

Also, not all costume jewellery are equal - some are better quality than others, pearls or otherwise, IMHO.

I too believe in buying once and buy well. This much is true as I grew older with better earning power.

DK

 

[dk168]

Some years ago, I went to Miki's flagship store in London, and compared my best gem-quality CFWP that I was wearing (I knew I would be jewellery window-shopping that day) with one of their expensive strands that was smaller and costing a lot more, and found mine was better in appearance.

I came out being hugely satisfied in knowing I had made the right choice in choosing a non-branded gem-quality CFWP from a reputable vendor.

Recently, PP showcased some top quality WSS strands costing 1M+ USD, and they did not appeal to me as they were too shiny and glassy - I prefer a more silky and satin look in WSS.

As I have mentioned, each to their own.

DK

 

[love_pearls]

Maybe I know my habit very well. When I was about 10 or so, I wore silver and sometimes jade pendant. As a teenager, I only had a jade pendant and a pair of earrings for newly pierced ears. Throughout young adult life, I didn't really purchase any custom jewellery or accessories that cost a lot.
I think I had a few silver pendants from Georg Jensen and one or two pieces from Tous and some Michal Negrin. I have never had a single piece from Tiffany's ( not into that) no Pandora neither.
For those pieces, I wore them when I first got them and then later I just didn't wear them much until VCA comes along. I keep wearing vca all the time and never got tired of wearing them. That's how I know my habit. For a good quality piece, I feel it's a waste not to wear them enough so I have the motivation to wear them a lot.

Last year I got my pearl earrings from mikimoto, and I have been wearing them all the time besides vca earrings. I rotate my pieces.

Therefore, I know I might not wear the pearls a lot if I get them somewhere else. That costs way more if there's no cost per wear.

Maybe I am a snob, I don't know.

I visited a pearl store and they had something stated as 天女 the top quality one of pearl in a certificate but I was surprised how they were not as smooth and transparent as those in mikimoto AAA strands.

 

[NY_Resonant]

Maybe I know my habit very well. When I was about 10 or so, I wore silver and sometimes jade pendant. As a teenager, I only had a jade pendant and a pair of earrings for newly pierced ears. Throughout young adult life, I didn't really purchase any custom jewellery or accessories that cost a lot.
I think I had a few silver pendants from Georg Jensen and one or two pieces from Tous and some Michal Negrin. I have never had a single piece from Tiffany's ( not into that) no Pandora neither.
For those pieces, I wore them when I first got them and then later I just didn't wear them much until VCA comes along. I keep wearing vca all the time and never got tired of wearing them. That's how I know my habit. For a good quality piece, I feel it's a waste not to wear them enough so I have the motivation to wear them a lot.

Last year I got my pearl earrings from mikimoto, and I have been wearing them all the time besides vca earrings. I rotate my pieces.

Therefore, I know I might not wear the pearls a lot if I get them somewhere else. That costs way more if there's no cost per wear.

Maybe I am a snob, I don't know.

I visited a pearl store and they had something stated as 天女 the top quality one of pearl in a certificate but I was surprised how they were not as smooth and transparent as those in mikimoto AAA strands.

PSL “top quality” certificates, even tennyo which is their highest grade on top of hanadama can vary a lot in luster. They will be beautiful but Mikimoto AAA is a stricter standard. With that said, I’ve seen Miki AAA pieces that are noticeably nicer than other Miki AAA pieces side by side —- so this AAA standard also varies significantly.

If you want a stricter certificate than PSL to compare well with Mikimoto AAA, look for PEPCA certified Granpearls and Supearl.

I’d take a superl certified piece over Mikimoto AAA, even at the same price.

 

[Brigid]

I have bought pearls from these brands; Paspaley, Jewelmer, and Annie Case (and Chanel for costume pearls). But I also know some stakeholders that work with pearl farms so I have been able to source the pearls I’m looking for through them. If you have a good jeweller that has great knowledge of pearls they can be helpful in scouring the pearls you want.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I probably contributed to the takahashi love on pricescope in the beginning haha. During Covid, I got into pearls (I blame yssie) and reached out to them from instagram. They previously had been industry only but started selling direct to customers due to Covid. I found the communication and value both to be fantastic so have stuck to them since. And since I posted a lot in the Pearls forum, it probably created some familiarity for the name, especially as more folk bought from them and had good experiences too.

I prefer buying from them since by now they know my tastes and I know what they mean when they describe a pearl which goes a long way when buying internationally sight unseen. I’m sure there are many other Japanese based companies with lovely pearls and customer service, but I’ve not be tempted or brave enough to try

 

[yssie]

I probably contributed to the takahashi love on pricescope

You literally found them and contacted them first. So, um, yeah, I'd say you've contributed pretty substantially

I do clearly remember you telling me you weren't really a pearls sort of girl

 

[Brigid]

My first strand of branded pearls were from Grace pearls in 2018, the company sold metallic FW that were of very high quality similar to Pearl Paradise.
They are are one of my most loved strands; they’re colour, lustre & orient is hard to photograph. But I find it difficult to get any true to life photos of my pearl stands/earrings etc..regardless.
I’m going off track slightly due to the thread being about Akoya’s. I would suggest keep researching and you will find the right Akoya stand you’re looking for regardless of brand!
Here is are the best IRL- capture photos i have taken of my Grace pearls:-

 

[dk168]

"Branded Generics" is a thing even in jewellery.

DK

 

[love_pearls]

The economic downturn is a real thing.

Just look at how people's tone changes according to the weather of economy.

 

[Alybird]

Has anyone tried reaching out or purchasing from General Pearl for a serious strand of Akoyas? What was the process or experience like?

And is Pearl Paradise still awesome? I purchased from them over a decade ago and I remember them being very on top of their game. Is this still the case?

 

[pearlsngems]

Has anyone tried reaching out or purchasing from General Pearl for a serious strand of Akoyas? What was the process or experience like?

And is Pearl Paradise still awesome? I purchased from them over a decade ago and I remember them being very on top of their game. Is this still the case?

In general I think one will get the best customer service from them if one communicates directly with them about what one is looking for. They have a lot of pearls in stock and there will inevitably be some variation between similar items, pearls being what they are (nacre made by oysters). So if you want a certain tone or whatever, call them.

The exception is for items during a special sale; items move quickly and may be lost to another customer if one waits for a reply from them. But then there is a generous return policy, if the item doesn't suit you.

 

[lovedogs]

Has anyone tried reaching out or purchasing from General Pearl for a serious strand of Akoyas? What was the process or experience like?

And is Pearl Paradise still awesome? I purchased from them over a decade ago and I remember them being very on top of their game. Is this still the case?

I bought a very special strand of akoyas from them (I think I posted a thread about it). I told them I was looking for as close to "gran/supearl" as possible in terms of luster/contrast, but I had some tolerance for tiny imperfections. They found me 2 options that weren't listed on the website and I was blown away. They are super nice. I spoke to them off and on for over a year before buying anything

 

[lovedogs]

@Alybird here's my thread on decisions, etc. Last page has IRL pics of rhe strand I bought.

comparison of high luster strands. What's your favorite?

They are gorgeous on you. Congratulations!!!

www.pricescope.com

 

[yssie]

@Alybird I also spoke to GeneralPearl some months ago (about potentially purchasing a granpearl strand) - I decided not to purchase, but I found them to be really honest, articulate, and helpful! They were very forthright about quality differences between the three strands they shortlisted for me, and they sent me quite a few comparison photos. I would definitely have been comfortable buying from them!

Only reason I decided not to purchase was to hold out for a supearl strand - I knew that if one ever shows up I'll regret having blown the budget.