MIKIMOTO FANS: Show us what you have

[Voodoo]

I guess the most disappointing part was I was really excited to actually GO to a Mikimoto shop. The S.A. initially was nice and cordial but as she showed me a few strands she got very pushy very quickly. It made me very uncomfortable. So in order to be polite and excuse myself from her help so I could browse I simply said "I'm not ready for a piece like this." She got this haughty expression on her face and very curtly said, "WELL! I don't understand!!" I was absolutely embarrassed to be standing there. Hub was my saviour and said, "Okay then thank you for your time." and we left.....

But I was extremely disappointed.... the SA made me feel horrible...like there was something wrong with me for not wanting to make the purchase that second.

I emailed Mikimoto's customer service and got a response from a gentlemen (who spelled my name wrong....and I'd emailed him) and he asked for my phone # so we could discuss....I gave it to him but I never heard back.

In the grand scheme of my life this one event is no big deal but I really went in to browse and enjoy what was in the store and, if something really caught my eye all I would have had to do was ask and Hub would have bought it. But I don't enjoy being made to feel like a second class citizen just because some S.A. 'doesn't understand' if I do or do not want to buy.

[nvie]

nekostar0412, aquablueness -thank you for the wonderful comments.

jan228 - Thanks for sharing! your pearl strands.....it's beautiful! Just by looking at its lustre melts my heart....!

Unfortunately the Olive pendant does not come in white gold, it comes in yellow gold and silver. However, you can get the earrings in yellow gold and white gold. That's so weird. I agree, yellow gold really brings out the design.

voodoo - I am so sorry to hear about your experience in Vegas, but don't let her stop you from buying those beautiful pieces. If I were you, I will go in there and buy a really nice piece from another SA and let her eat her heart out! Don't let a rude SA ruin your day....at the end of it, who's the one buying?

[jan228]

nvie: I don't see the Olive pendant/earrings in silver on the Mikimoto website. I do see that they both come in white gold and diamonds. Geez, do they charge a premium on diamond dust.

voodoo: Ugh, I hate pushy salespeople more than anything. I was walking around the shops at Caesar's and wandered into the Michael Kors store. I was the only customer and the two salespeople just bombarded me with different items. I told them at one point, "Wow, this is really overwhelming!" They didn't get the hint, so I left.

I think they just need to be reminded, clearly and directly, that they can assist you when you're ready. Unfortunately I usually get too flustered to remember that and end up leaving.

[Cecilia2]

I would love a Mikimoto bracelet. I think the little gold 'M' really stands out aesthetically on the bracelet, and it's such a pretty contrast. I did look at them, pricing wise, online, and wondered about the grading. I have an uber-sharp eye for detail and color gradation, and I wondered if I would really notice the differences in the grades. I'll have to stop in there sometime.

We also experienced the hard sell in Las Vegas....in the Cartier store. I think they get so many looky-loos, that this is their solution for weeding out what they think of as 'time wasters.'

[jan228]

Originally Posted by Cecilia2

I would love a Mikimoto bracelet. I think the little gold 'M' really stands out aesthetically on the bracelet, and it's such a pretty contrast. I did look at them, pricing wise, online, and wondered about the grading. I have an uber-sharp eye for detail and color gradation, and I wondered if I would really notice the differences in the grades. I'll have to stop in there sometime.

I was in Bailey, Banks, and Biddle the other week and really got to take my time looking at the Mikimoto pearls. There's a noticeable difference between their lowest grade (A) and highest (AAA) when they're compared to each other. I looked at the different grades of earrings and there was a better glow (luster?) and they were a bit more rosy. If they weren't next to each other, I'd be hard pressed to remember which was which. Of course the grading is a guide, and some pearls are off higher quality than others in strands and bracelets. One pearl on my strand has what looks like a crease/scratch due to a noticeable imperfection on the nacre, while the rest look perfect at a glance.

As far as the color gradation, I noticed in some of the strands, the color differences were noticeable between the pearls, while others are better matched. Each strand had it's own slightly different color- some were ivory, rosy, or off-white, and some seem more multi-colored.

So I think that if your eye for detail is high, you would want to inspect anything in person before buying.

[jayjay77]

nvie -- love your olive pieces! they look so pretty on you

Jan228 -- the necklance is lovely on you! I love graduated pearls too -- I'm seriously tempted to get myself over to Mikimoto SOON!!

[nvie]

jan228 - you are right, can't see the olive earrings (white gold) and pendant (silver) in www.mikimotoamerica. However, please see below, it's from www.mikimoto.com.hk Rings are in white gold and yellow gold.

[nvie]

jayjay77 - thank you. Look forward to see you in action with your Mikimoto!

[nvie]

jan228 - Agree with you that there are different hues among Akoya pearls. I love the pinkish hue....

celilia2 - Yes, the grades do make a difference, not in terms of the colour but also uniformity of the shapes. Consistent round pearls in a strand is much more expensive than slightly irregular ones. You have to really look closely and compare to tell the difference in colour, lustre, shape. For best lustre....look closely at a pearl and if you can see your own face clearly, that's the best, the clearer the better.

Personally, I think pearl bracelets and rings are difficult to care for as we tend to scratch them often and they are in more contact with soap and water.

The below bracelet is so dainty.....

[leilani01]

Originally Posted by nvie

jan228 - you are right, can't see the olive earrings (white gold) and pendant (silver) in www.mikimotoamerica. However, please see below, it's from www.mikimoto.com.hk Rings are in white gold and yellow gold.

Very interesting….Last week I tried on both Olive pendants (white and yellow gold) and the yellow gold Olive earrings. All the pieces were gorgeous! I didn’t see the silver (possibly as nvie mentioned, it’s only available in Asia).

Some differences:

The Akoya pearls are larger (5 – 6.5 mm) for the white gold necklace. This piece also has 0.24 ct of diamonds. Actually the pendant part of the white gold necklace is longer (@ 2” – I’m guessing since it was longer/lower on my chest but I didn’t think to have the SA measure it) but narrower than the yellow gold which is fuller but shorter.

The Akoya pearls in the yellow gold necklace are 3.75 – 4.5 mm. This design really seems to bring out the beauty of the yellow gold.

To my eyes, they look very different. The yellow gold seems more of an every day piece while the white gold gives off a more formal vibe (possibly because of the diamonds). It all depends on one’s personal style/wardrobe, etc….

For some reason, I didn’t try on the WG earrings. Just as well, as I couldn’t make up my mind between the pendants as is.

Here's a picture of the white gold pendant with diamonds.

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by nvie

voodoo - I am so sorry to hear about your experience in Vegas, but don't let her stop you from buying those beautiful pieces. If I were you, I will go in there and buy a really nice piece from another SA and let her eat her heart out! Don't let a rude SA ruin your day....at the end of it, who's the one buying?

Thank you! Yes, someday I'll give in and buy!

Originally Posted by jan228

voodoo: Ugh, I hate pushy salespeople more than anything. I was walking around the shops at Caesar's and wandered into the Michael Kors store. I was the only customer and the two salespeople just bombarded me with different items. I told them at one point, "Wow, this is really overwhelming!" They didn't get the hint, so I left. I think they just need to be reminded, clearly and directly, that they can assist you when you're ready. Unfortunately I usually get too flustered to remember that and end up leaving.

I am the same way....I just get so worked up that I'd rather escape than stand up to the S.A....which is just . On another note did you enjoy shopping at Caesar's (other than MK)? The Venetian had such amazing shopping that I didn't go anywhere else!

[Cecilia2]

Originally Posted by jan228

I was in Bailey, Banks, and Biddle the other week and really got to take my time looking at the Mikimoto pearls. There's a noticeable difference between their lowest grade (A) and highest (AAA) when they're compared to each other. I looked at the different grades of earrings and there was a better glow (luster?) and they were a bit more rosy. If they weren't next to each other, I'd be hard pressed to remember which was which. Of course the grading is a guide, and some pearls are off higher quality than others in strands and bracelets. One pearl on my strand has what looks like a crease/scratch due to a noticeable imperfection on the nacre, while the rest look perfect at a glance. As far as the color gradation, I noticed in some of the strands, the color differences were noticeable between the pearls, while others are better matched. Each strand had it's own slightly different color- some were ivory, rosy, or off-white, and some seem more multi-colored. So I think that if your eye for detail is high, you would want to inspect anything in person before buying.

Thanks jan228-

It sounds like I'd want the more expensive ones of course....sigh. Another dream item to put on the wish list.

[Cecilia2]

Thanks nvie-

That is a really pretty bracelet. I tend to favor bracelets and rings over necklaces and earrings because I get to look at them all day. That doesn't stop me from wanting a pearl choker though....someday..... From your description, I would want the higher grades.

[ReRe]

Hopefully I will be getting the black Tahitian pearl studs in white gold this month, will post a picture when I get them.

[nvie]

jan228 and ReRe - saw your pearl earrings on another post...please post them up here....thanks.