A lovely strand of Mikimoto cultured pearls finished with a signed 18K yellow gold and pearl clasp. The strand comprises 113 6.0x6.5 mm fine-quality pearls, graded as A+. They have cream body color, nice silver overtones, and bright luster. The pearls are well-matched and are finished with Mikimoto’s signature bow-shaped 18K gold clasp set with a small pearl and signed with Mikimoto’s oyster shell hallmark. This strand has slightly smaller pearls than are usually used in opera length strands, giving it a lightness that makes it more versatile and appropriate for current fashion. Mikimoto currently prices strands of this quality and length at approximately $8,000.

Origin: Japan. Size: 32-3/4” long. Condition: excellent, secure stringing.

A stunning triple-strand necklace of Akoya cultured pearls by Mikimoto finished with an 18K yellow gold clasp. The three strands contain 57, 60 and 64 pearls (total 181) and are 17-1/4”, 17-3/4” and 18” long. The 6.5-7.00 mm pearls are graded as fine AA, with light cream body color and rose overtones. The nacre has medium thickness with bright luster. The matching is excellent, as would be expected of Mikimoto. The box clasp is enhanced with repousse floral decoration and is set with a 4.2 mm pearl. The clasp is fully hallmarked for 18K gold and is signed with Mikimoto’s oyster shell hallmark. The necklace is accompanied by a 2010 independent NAJA appraisal confirming the above information and stating a replacement value of $17,950.

Origin: Japan. Condition: excellent, no pearl damage, secure stringing. Size: 18” long.

A beautiful double-strand pearl and 18K yellow gold bracelet by Mikimoto. The bracelet comprises 48 pearls, graded as fine AA. The pearls are 6.5 to 7.00 mm. The color is medium cream with rose overtones. The luster is bright and the nacre is of medium thickness. The pearls are beautifully matched, as would be expected of Mikimoto. The strands are separated by two gold station spacers and are completed with an 18K yellow gold box clasp with repousse floral decoration and a 4.2 mm pearl. The clasp is fully hallmarked for 18K and is signed with Mikimoto’s oyster shell hallmark. The strand is accompanied by a 2010 independent NAJA appraisal confirming the above information and stating a replacement value of $4,650.

Origin: Japan. Condition: excellent, no pearl damage, secure stringing. Size: 7-1/4” long.

A beautiful vintage strand of Mikimoto cultured pearls finished with a signed sterling silver clasp. The range in size from 7.18 to 7.47 millimeters. They are of very fine quality, as would be expected in an older Mikimoto strand. The cream body color has a nice rose overtone. The luster is very good and the surfaces have slight blemishes. The pearls are well-matched and are of uniform near-round shape. Using Mikimoto’s grading system, this strand is estimated at A+1. The clasp is Mikimoto’s traditional bow-shaped clasp set with a 3.93 mm drilled pearl and marked with Mikimoto’s oyster shell signature.

Origin: Japan, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent, stringing is secure, no wear to pearls. Size: 23.75” long.

A gorgeous opera-length strand of 113 Mikimoto pearls with an 18K yellow gold clasp. The pearls have the magnificent luster and coloring expected of Mikimoto. The body color is cream with rosé overtones. The nacre has superb, bright luster. The surfaces are smooth with only slight natural blemishes. The grading quality is fine AA. The pearls are well-matched at 6.5--7.0 millimeters. The strand is completed with a classic Mikimoto 18K yellow gold bow clasp, set with a 3.8mm pearl. Mikimoto strands of this length are increasingly difficult to find. The strand is accompanied by a June 2008 written appraisal (GIA & NAJA) by a Mikimoto specialist appraiser conforming to the information noted above. The appraised replacement value is $10,950. Origin: Japan, ca. 1980. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 34” long.

Beautiful 29.75” strand of pearls by Mikimoto. The 6.0-6.5mm pearls are joined with a 14K yellow gold clasp set with a 3.3mm pearl. The strand comprises 113 pearls having medium cream-rose body color with Mikimoto’s classic rosé overtones. The nacre is thick and the luster is very fine. The quality is appraised at fine AA, indicating that they just border on the elusive AAA quality. The clasp is marked with Mikimoto’s hallmark. The strand is presented in its original white satin folio marked "Mikimoto Fifth Avenue".

Origin: Japan, ca. 1980. Condition: excellent, securely strung; the satin folio has a champagne stain in the interior. Size: 29.75”, 6.0-6.5mm.

Accompanied by a June 2005 Bailey, Banks & Biddle written appraisal for $6,500.

Beautiful 23.5” strand of pearls by Mikimoto. The 6.5-7mm pearls are joined with a 14K yellow gold clasp set with a 4mm pearl. The strand comprises 79 pearls having cream body color with Mikimoto’s classic rosé overtones. The nacre is thick and the luster is very fine. The quality is appraised at fine AA. The clasp is marked with Mikimoto’s hallmark.

Origin: Japan, ca. 1980. Condition: excellent, securely strung. Size: 23.5”, 6.5-7.0mm.

Accompanied by a June 2005 Bailey, Banks & Biddle written appraisal for $5,200.

An extraordinary strand of 75 teardrop-shaped cultured Biwa pearls, strung in an unusual alternating pattern. The pearls, averaging 11.5mm x 7.5mm are much larger than most Biwa pearls. The Mikimoto-quality nacre has a particularly nice lustre and is primarily colored white with cream overtones. The lustre tints a bit toward rose and green at the tips of the pearls--a feature often seen in high-quality Biwa pearls. The necklace is strung without knotting so that the pearls hold their alternating arrangement from the pressure of one pearl against another. The sterling silver clasp has a lovely filigree pattern.

Origin: Japan, circa 1960. Condition: very good, the pearls have faint surface wear where they rub against each other, but this is only visible on close inspection under bright light. Size: 16-1/4" long; 13/16" wide.