Up to 70% Off Pearls Is Still Pretty Pricey at the Mikimoto Sale

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Mikimoto really makes you earn admittance to opening day of their publicly accessible "employees' sale." Mizhattan waited for two and a half hours in a claustrophobic hallway with no cellphone reception before getting to browse pearls for up to 70% off yesterday. (She says the fortitude of two pregnant line-waiters was the only thing keeping her going.) Inside, the sale is still pretty expensive. Mikimoto earrings range from $3,000 to $12,500, while necklaces go from $1,500 to $4000—and that's after the discount, mind you. That doesn't mean you have to drop four figures for pearls, though; many pieces from Mikomoto's less-expensive Blue Lagoon label fell in the $300 to $400 range.

So is the sale worth a trip? The good news is that after the initial opening-morning rush, the line tends to get a lot less excruciating. (Sample Sally only had to wait half an hour to get in yesterday afternoon.) But the less-good news is that both Sally and Madison Avenue Spy sound underwhelmed by the limited selection and high prices. This might be one to skip if you're not flush with cash, or a seriously devoted fan.
· Hello (Miki)moto [Mizhattan]
· A Busy Start to the Mikimoto “Employee” Sale [Sample Sally]
· Mikimoto Sale Overview [Madison Avenue Spy]