Mikimoto thread + help me decide!

[HenrietteBN]

My husband loves Mikimoto, which is great, because I love pearls! Please share your beautiful Mikimoto pieces here for inspiration

I have a dilemma and would love opinions. My husband surprised me with an 18" strand of 7.5 - 8.0mm Mikimoto Reserve akoyas last year, which I love. Then this year he gave me a 35" strand of 9.0-9.5mm akoyas, which are beautiful! However, since I am petite, the ideal strand is 32" for me, and the pearls are bigger than my princess strand. I could get the current strand shortened, or, I could potentially exchange them for a 32" strand of 7.5 - 8.0mm pearls, and a lace collar which I have been eying. What to do? Here is my princess strand with the current opera pearls.

Here is the strand doubled up with my princess, which is how I would probably wear it the most.


If I do exchange it for the smaller pearl strand, then I could also get one of these collars. I initially liked the smaller one since I could wear it during the day or dressed up, but when I think about it, it probably serves the same function as a double or triple strand. The bigger collar is much dressier and has a little sparkle with a few diamonds.

(Cross-posting with the Pearl Lovers Thread)

 

[LizzieBennett]

I’m also petite and love pearls and Mikimoto! The 35 inch doesn’t look out of place on you, but from experience you probably would be happier with the 32 inch. That length just looks more appropriate for a petite frame. Also, sizing down to a smaller pearl would be easier with your frame. If you could do that and get the pearl collar, I’d definitely go for the triple in the collar. Such a fun problem to have! Please post what you decide to do.

 

[baghagg]

I love all your options. I also love my own 18" Mikimoto 7.5-8mm single strand so I may be biased.

The 35" is too long and too big (mm- wise) for your frame - that is, UNTIL YOU DOUBLED IT!!! Once doubled and added it to your single strand, it looks amazing!

Having said that, the last picture is such a gorgeous piece! It's a nice difference! Good luck deciding.

 

[Bagatha Christie]

Personally, I love both the collars and think they are a bit more of a creative statement than an opera strand.

All the pearls are very beautiful though.

 

[HenrietteBN]

I’m also petite and love pearls and Mikimoto! The 35 inch doesn’t look out of place on you, but from experience you probably would be happier with the 32 inch. That length just looks more appropriate for a petite frame. Also, sizing down to a smaller pearl would be easier with your frame. If you could do that and get the pearl collar, I’d definitely go for the triple in the collar. Such a fun problem to have! Please post what you decide to do.

Thank you for being so thoughtful. It's so helpful to get your perspective! I'd love to see your pieces!

 

[880]

The 35" is too long and too big (mm- wise) for your frame - that is, UNTIL YOU DOUBLED IT!!! Once doubled and added it to your single strand, it looks amazing!

+1000. I think keeping is a very versatile option. Dressy, casual and in between

but I also love the second lace collar for its wow factor which could be worn casual or dressy

 

[SmokieDragon]

I’m for keeping the new strand as 9-9.5mm Akoyas are rare. Not sure if you can ask Mikimoto to restring it to 32” and return the excess pearls or maybe use them to make a bar pendant perhaps or a tin cup necklace?

 

[DS2006]

I do think the pearls on the long strand are too big on you. I’ve been looking at long strands and I wouldn’t go more than 8-8.5mm (7.5-8mm is fine, too). I’m 5’6” and prefer 40-42”. So I don’t think 35” is too long on you but certainly you can change to a 32” if you prefer it. Smaller pearls would work better worn long. That must be very heavy! I think a short strand of 9-9.5mm makes more sense.

 

[HenrietteBN]

I’m for keeping the new strand as 9-9.5mm Akoyas are rare. Not sure if you can ask Mikimoto to restring it to 32” and return the excess pearls or maybe use them to make a bar pendant perhaps or a tin cup necklace?

My husband just corrected me - they are 8x9mm Mikimoto A grade. Does that make a difference? Perhaps they are less rare. The SA said they are an unusual size.

 

[SmokieDragon]

My husband just corrected me - they are 8x9mm Mikimoto A grade. Does that make a difference? Perhaps they are less rare. The SA said they are an unusual size.

I think a 8-9mm A grade is also not easy to come by. A 9.5mm round Akoya would probably be the biggest size out there for Akoyas. I’m also petite but I do love bigger sizes of pearls so for me, a bigger size is always welcome. I would probably still ask if they can restring to 32” and keep the bigger sized ones in the strand

 

[Tygriss]

My opinion comes from the perspective of a forever collector... I say keep this rare and unusually larger strand because its amazing doubled wirh your princesss strand and its rare. Your husband already loves Mikimoto, so your collar is likely to be an easy addition come new years, valentines, birthday or just because !

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi! I am a huge Mikimoto fan and love their long strands. I say keep it. Your strand is beautiful.

I am also petite, 5' 2", 108lbs, and one of my strands is a 38" 9.0mm-9.5mm akoya. It was custom made, hence the length is not a common one. I specifically asked for this length as it lands perfectly for my preference. I love long swingy necklaces and have other long Mikimoto strands. I think your 35" would look great. I also have a 34" 8.0mm-8.5mm strand and that length works for me too.

I think your size of 8mm-9mm is fine. Are you sure it's 8mm-9mm though? That's a 1mm spread, and classic strands are usually sold in 0.5mm spreads, as in 8.0mm-8.5mm, 8.5mm-9.0mm, or 9.0mm-9.5mm. This is done so each pearl is nearly the exact same size. Your necklace may be a special holiday piece or something which is fine. I would just double check to be sure you know exactly what you have (your certificate/appraisal will have this info). I do see the M charm is in the new position which tells me it's a newer piece.

A thought...
I am super picky about lengths when it comes to long necklaces. Long necklaces have to land correctly for me, so I completely understand your preference for 32". If your preferred length is 32", you could ask Mikimoto to shorten it and then create a bracelet. Shorten your necklace to 32", and you now have 3" of pearls remaining. Buy 4" of matching pearls from Mikimoto, a clasp, and the M charm. You can now make a 7" bracelet. Long story short... I did something similar with a 18" 8.0mm-8.5mm akoya strand. I no longer wore it as I purchased a 18" 9.0mm-9.5mm akoya strand, so it was duplicate for me. I made three bracelets out of the 18" 8.5mm. I had to purchase 3" of pearls (each bracelet was 7"), 2 clasps, and 2 M charms. I love it as I can wear one, two, or three bracelets depending on the look I want. Just a thought here.

By the way, on doubling a long strand, it's a great concept, but for me, hard to execute. People are active and move in real life. I found a double strand always slid around on me, and one end kept getting longer. It kept annoying me, so I no longer double. I wear multiple strands if I want to stack so each strand lays perfect. If you wish to double, it may work a bit better if you get a pearl shortener, but the back of the necklace will look goofy (it may not matter to you though if you're not picky about that). Maybe wear the strand doubled for a whole day to see if it doesn't keep moving on you. This will be important if you plan to wear it this way all the time, so be sure to test it out and see if it annoys you.

On the other bib necklaces, I personally am not crazy about those little pearls in the bib necklaces. Large pearls to me are the way to go for a bold and sophisticated look. My preference is to go for a strand of large pearls vs. trying to create a bold look with a bunch of smaller pearls.

My personal opinion is after wearing pearls for a while, you will want larger pearl sizes. A long strand of large akoya pearls is my absolute favorite piece of jewelry. Akoya pearls glow like no other (South Seas do not have that same mirror glow), they are bold, they swing, and they make such a elegant statement. They can be worn casual or dressy. I vote keep. Your long strand is stunning!

Hope this helps.
Congratulations to you on those gorgeous pearls! Tell your awesome hubby he did a great job!

 

[Etriers]

I love pearls and they are a major signature for me. I am petite, so I can appreciate your concerns. I would keep your 18” strand, unadulterated, you can always wear that. It’s great with everything. I would also keep your husband’s gift, because, wow, they are amazing, and I believe that with global warming large Akoyas like that are going to get even more rare and expensive. It is attractive as a 3 strand with your princess and if you like that look, perhaps ask your husband, who seems to enjoy buying you pearls, to have your long strand added to, and made into a 3 strand by Mikimoto. Such a timeless, classic and dignified look a la Barbara Bush. You could probably rob a bank in that style and get off scott-free. Lol! Alternatively, pause and consider keeping your 35” as it is and try it with various outfits. With the size of your pearls and the length, they could be your signature. Just so beautiful and dramatic. I got very interested in long ropes after re-watching Downton Abbey and seeing how modern, slimming and lengthening long ropes are with all of the straight lines and sleek sweaters and skirts they wore. Since, I’ve actually bought a 40” (!) which I would have never considered before. I wear it Lady Mary style with boots or tights and same-color shoes, longer skirts and tunic sweaters and get SO many compliments it’s crazy. So now I wear either the 40”, a 36”, or 35” almost all of the time. When I don’t have those on, I’m all about the princess. The most important thing is not to try to fit in, but step into who you want to be. Your husband obviously thinks you can rock these things.

 

[yoshikitty]

Congrats to your new piece! It's very beautiful.
I would keep it. The bigger size of the pearls and its length give you a much different look than your current ones.
It will come in handy when you want to wear pearls with a pullover during winter.

 

[Gourmetgal]

I love pearls, too but I think the collars look downright matronly. I love the long strand and would prefer even longer to be worn doubled - more like 52 in. Most of my gold chains and pearl strands are at least that long so I wear them doubled. I also wear long pendants and buy dresses and tops to work with that style. But in your case slightly shorter works for and opera length and slightly smaller pearls would be a better scale for you.