Pearl stud earrings with single diamond - Mikimoto or Tiffany

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

M

Miss QQ

O.G.
Apr 12, 2010
225
77
#1
Hi everyone! I want to add a pearl stud earrings with a single diamond at the bottom of the pearl to my collection. The question is: Mikimoto or Tiffany? I know that lots of people say that Mikimoto's pearls are the best, and more superior than Tiffany's. However, for diamonds, I don't hear anything about Mikimoto but Tiffany's diamonds are outstanding.

So since I want a piece that is a combination of pearls and diamonds, which would be better? Thanks!
The style I'm looking at is like this.
https://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/ear...0/tiffany-signature-pearls-earrings-33475748/
https://www.mikimotoamerica.com/categories/earrings/stud-earrings-with-diamond-1
https://www.mikimotoamerica.com/categories/earrings/stud-earrings-with-diamond-1

What is the difference between Mikimoto classic Akoya cultured and white South Sea cultured pearls?
 
Last edited:
#2
Miss QQ said:
Hi everyone! I want to add a pearl stud earrings with a single diamond at the bottom of the pearl to my collection. The question is: Mikimoto or Tiffany? I know that lots of people say that Mikimoto's pearls are the best, and more superior than Tiffany's. However, for diamonds, I don't hear anything about Mikimoto but Tiffany's diamonds are outstanding.

So since I want a piece that is a combination of pearls and diamonds, which would be better? Thanks!
The style I'm looking at is like this.
https://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/ear...0/tiffany-signature-pearls-earrings-33475748/
https://www.mikimotoamerica.com/categories/earrings/stud-earrings-with-diamond-1
https://www.mikimotoamerica.com/categories/earrings/stud-earrings-with-diamond-1

What is the difference between Mikimoto classic Akoya cultured and white South Sea cultured pearls?
Click to expand...

Hi! I love both Tiffany and Mikimoto. For diamonds, it’s Tiffany all the way for me. However, for pearls, it’s Mikimoto all the way. Mikimoto pearls glow.

For pearls, Akoya pearls are the most glowy and have a lot of luster. They will make your face light up. The downside to Akoya pearls is they max out at 10mm. For South Seas, most are larger than 10mm, but the downside to South Sea pearls is they are a satin finish. They do not have that mirror-luster of an Akoya.

For me... I love the mirror-luster and how it makes my face glow. I like large pearls, and even then, I will only purchase Akoya. It’s preference.

The diamond is so small in the earring, it won’t matter much. I would focus on the pearl. And my two cents... I would get the largest Akoya pearl stud in your budget. I would not get it with the diamond as the earring will spin and the placement of the diamond may be annoying. I would put all the money into a nice big pearl stud.

Hope this helps.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: hhw, BUIGOVA, Shopgirl1996 and 10 others
#9
Miss QQ said:
Thanks all for your thoughts! I will go Mikimoto to take a look first because I've never been there. Are the prices of Mikimoto and Tiffany about the same?
Click to expand...
Hi! This is a loaded question, but to net it out... Tiffany does not grade their pearls. Mikimoto grades all their pearls.
At Mikimoto, you purchase pearls by grade (A-AAA) and size (mm).

For pricing, if you purchase the top end Mikimoto grade, AAA, it will be far more expensive than Tiffany. I would say Tiffany's prices equal to Mikimoto's grade A, maybe AA.

On sizes of pearls, for akoyas, they range from 6mm - 10mm with 10mm as that max size, so they are very expensive. I would say the jump in price is 8.5mm as that is the size that gets a bit rarer for akoyas. You will see more common sizes in 8mm or less. South Seas run bigger, 10mm is small for a south seas and they go up to 16mm and larger.

I think the best thing to do is find the size of pearl you want first. Then pick your grade. Then make compromises if needed to balance size and grade.

I am a huge fan of Mikimoto pearls as I have stated. I think they are the best pearls ever. And this is coming from a person who loves Tiffany.

You can't go wrong with either really. Oh, last tidbit, I would not get freshwater pearls. They are not the same as akoyas or South Seas and the price reflects it (much cheaper).

Oh, and once you get those earrings, you may want to consider a nice pearl strand. So while you're looking at Mikimoto studs, I would suggest you also look at their strands (and bracelets too!).

Good luck!
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: USCGirlie, etudes, Shopgirl1996 and 8 others
#11
I have large SS pearls each w removable diamonds so it’s great to have the flexibility. Not a name-brand, purchased at Josephine’s in the Gift Mart in SF...30 years ago! I selected the pearls and diamonds separately and they put it all together. It’s such a generic look it may not be necessary to pay the premium for a big name.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: etudes and 880
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top