Description

In General

Iconic Japanese Mikimoto cultured pearl and jewellery designer – rare “limited edition” Marilyn Monroe Pearl Gold & Diamond Necklace. In 1999, Mikimoto produced this stunning ‘Limited Edition’ Marilyn Monroe pearl necklace or choker – inspired by the pearl necklace or choker given by Baseball legend, Joe DiMaggio to twenty seven year old Marilyn Monroe on their honeymoon in 1954 in Japan. In the previous year Marilyn had appeared in three movies – Niagra, How to Marry a Millionaire and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and had become the most famous actress in the world. Whilst in Japan, Mikimoto and Joe DiMaggio presented Marilyn Monroe with a single strand of perfect round graduated cultured Akoya pearls. It was one of the only pieces of fine jewellery she ever owned.

Mikimoto Kokichi, the son of a noodle shop owner in a seaside village in Japan was fascinated by the pearl divers he saw at the piers. Mikimoto believed that there had to be a way to make the ‘accident’ of a natural pearl occur on purpose. By 1920 he had changed the world by introducing the finest quality round cultured Akoya pearls. Mikimoto achieved icon status when Marilyn Monroe, the most famous actress in the world was wearing his pearls on every magazine and newspaper cover. Mikimoto remain the most famous producers of the finest high quality perfectly round cultured pearls in the world.

This single strand pearl necklace or choker is 14.96 inches or 38 cm long including the diamond clasp but not the hook that fits into it, and is made of 45 perfect cultured ‘A’ grade Akoya pearls graduating from 9mm to 7mm attached by an 18 carat white gold bow knot clasp set with one brilliant cut diamond. The clasp is impressed with the makers mark: M and MM 0008. This necklace is more valuable as it is one of the earliest ‘Limited Edition’ examples.

This rare ‘Limited Edition’ pearl necklace is accompanied with the original oval leather and velvet box and the original Mikimoto cardboard gift box and a signed Booklet Certificate of Authenticity/Guarantee. The buyers name on this Certificate has been blanked out on the photograph for privacy although the purchaser will see the name when they receive the Booklet. It is the same shaped leather and velvet box that the pearls were presented to Marilyn Monroe by Joe Di Maggio. The original pearl and diamond necklace is displayed in this box when exhibited to the public. Marilyn Monroe’s pearl necklace has been on display in many countries worldwide and is now owned by Mikimoto. It is currently on display in their Fifth Avenue store in New York.

There is also an accompanying unused cleaning cloth and leather effect carrying pouch – again unused. This necklace was purchased in 1999 and has had only one owner.

The owner had the necklace reduced slightly in length to fit. It was sold as 16 inches in length and it was reduced to 14.96 inches in length.

• 14.96 inches or 38 cm in length
• 45 cultured ‘A’ grade Akoya pearls graduating from 9mm to 7mm
• 0.05 carat of brilliant cut diamond
• 18 carat white gold 750 bow knot clasp
• Accompanied by the original oval leather and velvet box and gift box
• Accompanied by the original signed Booklet Certificate of Authenticity/Guarantee
• Purchased in 1999 when Mikimoto released this ‘Limited Edition’ Marilyn Monroe necklace or choker
• Marked MM 0008 confirming that it is an early ‘Limited Edition’ example
• Pearls symbolise Love and Friendship

Year

Purchased from new in 1999, from Mikimoto Bond Street, London W1.

Designer and Maker

Mikimoto

Makers Mark

The clasp is impressed with the makers mark: M and MM 0008 750.

Mikimoto Certificate of Authenticity/Guarantee. 

This is located at the back of the enclosed Booklet. The buyers name has been blanked out on the photograph for privacy. It confirms that this necklace is a Mikimoto cultured pearl product.and refers to an article no: G70116. Please see photograph.

Material

45 cultured ‘A’ grade Akoya pearls graduating from 9mm to 7mm

0.05 carat of brilliant cut diamond

18 carat white gold bow knot clasp

Condition

This pearl necklace or choker is in an excellent hardly worn condition. It’s oval leather box is also in excellent condition. The leather is very soft and has the usual leather marks. There is a small ink mark on the top of the oval leather box. The gift box and the Booklet Certificate of Authenticity are also in excellent condition. Please see photographs.

Dimensions ( L x W x H )

A single strand of graduated Akoya Pearls being 14.96 inches or 38 cm long comprising 45 cultured Akoya pearls graduating from 9mm to 7mm.

Weight

To Be Confirmed.

Shipping

We use trusted couriers in the UK and across the World. We tend to use Royal Mail Special Delivery and Parcelforce 48 in the UK and Royal Mail, Transglobal, DHL and Fedex Worldwide. Purchases are very carefully wrapped and packed using high quality packing materials and extra strong boxes. All parcels are comprehensively insured and sent at the risk of Chapman Pugh Ltd.

Please be aware that there maybe customs and/or tax payments due on the parcels arrival in the buyers country. This varies from country to country. Any additional customs and/or tax payments are the responsibility of the buyer.

 ALL SHIPPING COSTS ARE REFUNDED IF LESS THAN STATED BELOW:

 Shipping Costs: 

 United Kingdom £15.45

 Europe £25.24

 United States and Canada £48.07

 Rest of the World £45.20

Please message us for a precise shipping quote for Europe and the Rest of the World. It may be possible to obtain lower prices than those stated depending on the shipping address.