Vintage Akoya Pearls
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Akoya Pearl Necklace
Located in Princeton, NJ
Vintage 26" 8.5mm x 9mm Akoya pearl strand necklace. The strand has 83 cultured pearls and the
Category
1990s Unknown Modern Vintage Akoya Pearls
14k Akoya Pearl Brooch
Located in Austin, TX
A satisfying presentation of 26 5-7mm Akoya pearls gracefully set on a 14k yellow gold branch with
Category
Mid-20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Oriental Pearl, 14k Gold
Gray Black Dyed Akoya Pearl Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
1970's Gray black pearl necklace. 200 dyed Akoya pearls 7mm-6.8mm, 63 Inches long strand, can be
Category
Late 20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl
Cultured Akoya Pearl Necklace
Located in Montreal, QC
One (1) necklace made out of forty one (41) round/almost round cultured Akoya pearls. Uniform with
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 14k Gold
Double Strand Akoya Pearl Necklace, Germany
Located in Southbury, CT
A double strand of huge, luxurious warm-toned cultured Akoya pearls -what a treasure!
The most
Category
Mid-20th Century German Modern Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 9k Gold
1990s Akoya Pearl Solitaire Platinum Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1990s 10mm Akoya Pearl Solitaire Platinum Ring.
The Akoya Pearl solitaire platinum ring from the
Category
1990s Contemporary Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Platinum
Akoya Pearl Necklace With Gold Clasp
Located in Miami, FL
Akoya pearl necklace 5.5-6mm, 28 inch in length with a 14k yellow gold clasp.
This pearl
Category
20th Century American Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Cultured Akoya Pearl 'DOLPHIN' Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Cultured Akoya Pearl 'DOLPHIN' Necklace
The 18-karat yellow gold dolphin with a circular
Category
1990s French Contemporary Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 18k Gold
Pearl Necklace with Akoya Pearls & Platinum With Diamond Locker
Located in Antwerp, BE
Stunning and Classical Pearl Necklace with Akoya Pearls and Platinum With Diamond Locker
Pearls
Category
20th Century European Artisan Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Akoya Pearl Necklace Vintage 1970s Ming's
Located in Southbury, CT
This cultured Akoya pearl necklace was created in the 1970s by venerable Hawaiian luxury jeweler
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 14k Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Bracelet 18k Gold Certified
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Bracelet 18k Gold 7.25" 5.1 mm Certified $4,950 210634
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver M389
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 6.15 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 6.15 mm M402
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 7.50 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7.50 mm M400
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 7.5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7.50 mm M401
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 7.5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7.50 mm M418
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Silver 7.5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7.5 mm M395
These elegant Authentic Mikimoto
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 16" Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 16" Sterling Silver M431
TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
White Gold Akoya Pearl Stud Earrings, 14k Pierced
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 14k White Gold
Stone Information:
Genuine Akoya Pearls
Color: White
Diameter
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, White Gold
TASAKTASAKI Ring. Genuine Platinum Pearl Solitaire. PT900 Akoya pearl Ring. Claw
By TASAKI
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
.
Details:
Size 5.25
4.5grams total
8mm High Quality Akoya Pearl.
3mm ShankGenuine Tasaki ring
PT900
Category
1990s Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks 7 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7 mm M412
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks 7 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver 7 mm M411
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks 6 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver 6 mm M407
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.80 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.80 mm Silver M374
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 6.50 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 6.50 mm M372
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Cufflinks 6 mm Sterling Silver Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Cufflinks 6 mm Sterling Silver Estate M446
These elegant Authentic
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 4.75 mm Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Sterling Silver 4.75 mm Estate M445
These elegant
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Bracelet 7.25" Sterling Silver 8.5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Bracelet 7.25" Sterling Silver 8.5 - 8 mm M398
This elegant
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 18k Gold Certified
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 34" 18k Gold 9.5 mm Certified $126,000 M126000
Estate
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 18k Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Silver 5 mm M357
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Vintage Akoya Pearl and 14K Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Akoya pearls on a gorgeous made 14 karat gold setting. The bangle is adorned with seven pearls with
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Retro Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 14k Gold
Poiray Multi Strand Akoya Pearl Bracelet Gold Clasp
By Poiray
Located in Geneva, CH
Elegant and sophisticated torsade bracelet made of 14 strands of Akoya pearls.
Features a 18K gold
Category
1980s French Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Sterling Silver 8 - 8.5 mm Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Sterling Silver 8 - 8.5 mm Estate M441
This elegant
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
14K Gold Akoya Pearls And Diamonds Necklace
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a 14K White Gold Akoya Pearls and Diamonds necklace. It depicts a necklace made of round
Category
20th Century Japanese Classical Roman Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Poiray Multi Strand Akoya Pearl Necklace Gold Clasp
By Poiray
Located in Geneva, CH
Elegant and timeless torsade necklace made of 15 strands of Akoya pearls.
Features a 18K gold
Category
1980s French Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks 7.45 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks 7.45 mm Silver M293
These elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 5 mm M288
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl Brooch 7 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl Brooch 7 mm Silver M307
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 7 mm M289
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Akoya pearl necklace with 18 kt yellow gold clasp
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Offered: Akoya saltwater pearl necklace with 18k yellow gold clasp, marked 750.
Akoya pearls are 58
Category
1990s European Romantic Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 20" Sterling Silver 5 - 5.5 mm Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 20" Sterling Silver 5 - 5.5 mm Estate M442
This elegant
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 25" Sterling Silver 6 - 6.5 mm Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 25" Sterling Silver 6 - 6.5 mm Estate M440
This elegant
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Tourmaline Akoya Pearls Yellow Gold Earrings, 1960
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
hanging Akoya pearls. Really delicate and fine item. Very light both in design and weight, and yet it has
Category
1960s Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" Sterling Silver 6.5 - 7 mm Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" Sterling Silver 6.5 - 7 mm Estate M448
This elegant
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" Sterling Silver 7 - 7.5 mm Estate
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Necklace 18" Sterling Silver 7 - 7.5 mm Estate M447
This elegant
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Midcentury Pearl Necklace with Jade Clasp Luxury Cultured Akoya Pearls
Located in Southbury, CT
. The creamy-white -almost golden- pearls average a luxurious 8.9mm in size -cultured Akoya pearls over
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
14 Karat Gold Diamond & Akoya Pearl Floral Brooch
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
pearls. The brooch centres on a central akoya pearl and is surrounded by a further six. A gemologist has
Category
20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Akoya Pearl Bracelet with Turquoise and Yellow Gold 18 Karat
Located in Vannes, FR
Composed of 9 exquisite turquoise pearls and 90 Akoya pearls of exceptional quality, this bracelet
Category
20th Century French Retro Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Retro Era Akoya Pearl and Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in the timeless elegance of our Estate Retro Era Three Row 7mm Akoya Pearl Bracelet. Each
Category
1940s American Retro Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 16" Sterling Silver 6.75 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 16" Sterling Silver 6.75 mm M432
TRUSTED SELLER
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Overlay 14k Gold 6 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Cufflinks Overlay 14k Gold 6 mm M419
These elegant Authentic Mikimoto
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 14k Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip Silver 7.15 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Mens Tie Clip Silver 7.15 mm M396
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Sterling Silver 6.50 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Necklace 17" Sterling Silver 6.50 mm M433
TRUSTED SELLER
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Sterling Silver
18 Karat White Gold Akoya Pearl and Diamond Necklace #13909
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 18 Karat White Gold Akoya Pearl and Diamond Necklace JAGi Certified-
This exquisite drop
Category
20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 5.60-7.30 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 5.60-7.30 mm Silver M375
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver
Category
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.40-5.30 mm Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch 6.40-5.30 mm Silver M376
This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver
Category
1990s American Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Silver
Double Stand Akoya Pearl Necklace with Gem Studded Gold Clasp
Located in Austin, TX
A classic and elegant double strand Akoya pearl neckace.
The cultured Akoya pearls of cream color
Category
1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold
Akoya Pearls, Double Strand, Diamond Clasp, French Art Deco; GIA Cert, 16"
Located in Southbury, CT
This late Art Deco era (circa 1939) double strand of cultured Akoya pearls represents the finest
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
Mings Akoya Pearl Leaf Branch Brooch in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Pearls: Akoya Pearls
Brooch Measurements: ~2.75" x 1"
Stamped: "Mings" "14K"
Condition: Preowned
Category
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
AKOYA PEARLS Long Pearls Necklace With 18Kt White Gold Spherical Lock
Located in Miami, FL
An Akoya pearls long necklace.
This is a very well-matched pearls necklace, composed by seventy
Category
1970s Japanese Modernist Vintage Akoya Pearls
Materials
Pearl, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
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Vintage Akoya Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
There is a broad range of vintage akoya pearls for sale on 1stDibs. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 38 vintage editions and 4 modern creations to choose from as well. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 19th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Our collection of vintage akoya pearls includes designs that are universally popular, but Modern and Retro styles, specifically, are sought with frequency. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by Mikimoto, Buccellati and Kiersten Elizabeth are consistently popular. A selection of bead, round cut and uncut can be found today on these pages. If you’re browsing the variety of vintage akoya pearls for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men.
How Much are Vintage Akoya Pearls?
Prices for vintage akoya pearls can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $440 and can go as high as $15,999, while vintage akoya pearls, on average, fetch $2,109.
The Legacy of Pearl in Jewelry Design
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.
Questions About Vintage Akoya Pearls
- Are Mikimoto pearls Akoya?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021No, not all Mikimoto pearls are Akoya. Mikimoto also uses Black South Sea cultured pearls, White South Sea cultured pearls, Golden South Sea cultured pearls, and Conch pearls to create their jewelry. Shop Mikimoto Akoya pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Mikimoto pearls are Akoya, meaning they come from Akoya oysters. The brand largely pioneered the production of cultured pearls, which are genuine pearls developed with human assistance. Mikimoto creates Akoya pearl necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings and brooches. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Mikimoto pearl jewelry.
- What are Akoya cultured pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Akoya cultured pearls are pearls that come from Pinctada fucata martensii oysters. These molluscs are commonly referred to as Akoya oysters, accounting for the name of the pearls. The word “cultured” means that the pearls are real but were produced by oysters with the help of human intervention. Cultured pearls are very common, as naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of pearl jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024The difference between Akoya and Mikimoto pearls comes down to specificity. Akoya is the general name for pearls derived from Pinctada fucata mollusks. These are prized for their smooth texture, round shape and attractive shine. Mikimoto pearls are pearls sold by the Japanese jewelry maker Mikimoto, which specializes in Akoya pearls. Nearly all Mikimoto pearls are Akoya pearls. However, other jewelers also sell Akoya pearl jewelry. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Mikimoto and Akoya pearls.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024To tell if Akoya pearls are real, examine the surfaces of your pearls closely. Natural pearls will have variations in texture, such as small bumps and blemishes. Pearls that are perfectly smooth and identical in shape and size are unlikely to be real. You can also try rubbing two of the pearls together. Real pearls will usually have a gritty feeling, while imitations will produce little to no friction when rubbed. If you're still unsure whether your pearls are real, have a certified appraiser or experienced jeweler evaluate them. Find a wide range of Akoya pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To determine whether a pearl necklace is modern or vintage, first look for signs of wear, such as blunted edges on the prongs. The pearls will likely have dull spots where they came into contact with skin. The clasp can clue you in, too. Lobster clasps appeared in the 1970s, while early 20th century clasps were generally safety-pin style or C-clasps. Modern necklaces typically have a spring-loaded clasp. Shop a selection of vintage pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Vintage Mikimoto pearls are set with cream or white pearls. Colored pearls are a modern addition. All Mikimoto pearl jewelry includes marks on the back or inside of the piece that is either the Mikimoto name, an “M” logo or the outline of an oyster. In addition, strands of pearls will have a dangling “M” charm. Mikimoto stores and authorized retailers will also appraise and issue a certificate of valuation for any Mikimoto piece. Find a variety of expertly vetted Mikimoto pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.