Are Mikimoto pearl studs really worth the price?

[sjunky13]

I have a pair of Mikimoto Pearls in Motion earrings.
One black and one white pearl and a diamond stud. They use great diamonds too btw.
I trust that they are pretty good pearls. They give off a great glow. I know some company's try and use other types of pearls and pass them as the real thing. I would get the Mikimoto. They have really good standards and you will be comforted knowing you have a great pearl.

 

[Loony]

all handamas are lightly bleached to get the oyster mucous off and not dyed - they are naturally pink

As far as I know, Hanadamas get pinked so these vendors mis-informed you. Bleaching and pinking are so routine for akoya pearls that it's safe to presume that the pearls have gone through these treatments unless specifically stated otherwise (which I believe is the case with certificates which come with PP's naturally white Hanadamas?).

I don't think I'm allowed to post links to other forums but if you Google Hanadama pinked then you should get some links to discussions about naturally white vs white hanadama and even comparison pictures of strands side by side.

Personally I like to do as much research as possible and I'm always wary of any vendors who mis-inform (either deliberately or out of ignorance) or attempt to bad-mouth their competition.

 

[Ambereyes]

As far as I know, Hanadamas get pinked so these vendors mis-informed you. Bleaching and pinking are so routine for akoya pearls that it's safe to presume that the pearls have gone through these treatments unless specifically stated otherwise (which I believe is the case with certificates which come with PP's naturally white Hanadamas?).

I don't think I'm allowed to post links to other forums but if you Google Hanadama pinked then you should get some links to discussions about and even comparison pictures of strands side by side.

Personally I like to do as much research as possible and I'm always wary of any vendors who mis-inform (either deliberately or out of ignorance) or attempt to bad-mouth their competition.

Only Pearl Paradise told me that Hanadamas get pinked (other than their natural whites); the other 3 sites told me otherwise (i.e., they all claim that their hanadamas are naturally pink, not dyed whatsoever - who to believe? Maybe Paradise is the only store that does pink their hanadamas).

I actually did see that other forum (PS) posting you are referring to regarding the color differences in the two strands - the natural white strand looked very bright white (almost fake looking), while the hanadamas looked lustrous and pink (a little too pink, actually). Chinai from Paradise told me she would pick out the natural whites with the pinkest hue (as she also told the woman posting the 2 strands). BTW, Paradise's natural white pair is $110 more than their pinked pair, whereas, the natural white is not even an option at any of the other sites (that I could find). I guess I'm not ruling out Paradise, however, I'm still very confused as to who is telling me the truth.

 

[kashmira]

Google "Bleaching and Pinking Pearl treatments" and I think that you will find some information regarding beaching and pinking treatments of Akoya pearls.

I do recommend PP- they are great and the owner, Jeremy, is very knowledgeable in the "pearl industry".

 

[Ambereyes]

Google "Bleaching and Pinking Pearl treatments" and I think that you will find some information regarding beaching and pinking treatments of Akoya pearls.

I do recommend PP- they are great and the owner, Jeremy, is very knowledgeable in the "pearl industry".

I reviewed the blog that you referred to and I guess it's true, that pinking is an industry-wide acceptable practice. Since most sing the praises of Paradise Pearls, I again called Chinai and she is going to email photos of the natural white hanadamas with a rose cast and, as I requested, hopefully next to pinked hanadamas so I can see the difference. If I can figure out how to do it, I will post the photos when I receive them. I really appreciate everyone's input and have learned a lot about pearls in the short time that I've been on this blog.

 

[vogue_you]

I would say the price is ok for its design. Mikimoto has AAA quality Akoya pearls. They are fabulous! But if you just buy loose pearls,like earrings studs. I don't think it worths that much. You need to pay a lot on the brand!

 

[Tote]

I went to Mikimoto the other day looking for studs too in the end I went and got a cute pair from Cartier. I think look around if you are not sure they are expencive for what they are I think.

 

[Ambereyes]

I went to Mikimoto the other day looking for studs too in the end I went and got a cute pair from Cartier. I think look around if you are not sure they are expencive for what they are I think.

Cartier? Never thought of them. Do you mind if I ask how much you paid and what mm size/grade?

 

[Ambereyes]

Here is the photo sent to me from Paradise Pearls - the top pair are the pinked hanadamas, and the bottom pair are the natural whites with a rosy glow. Can anyone see the difference? FYI, the naturals are $110 more than the regular hanadamas.

 

[girliceclimber]

Here is the photo sent to me from Paradise Pearls - the top pair are the pinked hanadamas, and the bottom pair are the natural whites with a rosy glow. Can anyone see the difference? FYI, the naturals are $110 more than the regular hanadamas.

When seen side to side like that, I would say that the top ones looked more pink and had a purple sheen/iridescence, while the bottom ones looked more white with a greenish blue iridescence. Both are very pretty and while I think I like the natural white ones a *little* more, it's hard to know whether I think I like them because they are the more expensive ones, KWIM? I don't think you'd be able to easily tell them apart if they weren't side by side though.

 

[Loony]

Yup, when compared side by side, the top ones look more pink. Also, the reflections seem a little sharper so perhaps they are also a touch more lustrous?

 

[Ambereyes]

I kinda agree, the top pair seems more lustrous/shiny - almost looks a bit fake. The bottom ones seem a bit more satiny. I'm trying to see the "greenish blue iridescence" in the bottom ones - it's hard to tell. I actually like that since it seems like it would be more rare or unusual than the pinker ones, especially if it occurs naturally.

 

[ReRe]

I bought Mikimoto tahitian black pearl studs and they were $1100. I think that was high but I don't know how they would compare to the other pearls.

 

[girliceclimber]

I kinda agree, the top pair seems more lustrous/shiny - almost looks a bit fake. The bottom ones seem a bit more satiny. I'm trying to see the "greenish blue iridescence" in the bottom ones - it's hard to tell. I actually like that since it seems like it would be more rare or unusual than the pinker ones, especially if it occurs naturally.

I feel like the middle of the bottom ones reflects back green-blue.. maybe my monitor is showing color differently than yours though.

 

[Ambereyes]

I feel like the middle of the bottom ones reflects back green-blue.. maybe my monitor is showing color differently than yours though.

That's correct! Last night, I called Chinai of PP (who emailed me the pic) and she confirmed the greenish-blue cast to the bottom naturals. I ended up ordering them and cannot wait to see how they look in person.