Listen: we're not pearl snobs here. If you show up clad in a pearl necklace of any sort, chances are, we'll gush and compliment, having no idea if they're real or not. And frankly, unless you're a professional, virtually no one will be able to tell (via ABC News). But you know who would be able to tell? Mikimoto. And that's why it's surprising to us that they charge the prices they do for a type of pearl that isn't even considered rare. In fact, these cultured pearls are considered to be pretty standard when it comes to the available jewelry on the market. "Cultured pearls are the pearls used to make almost all jewelry on the market today" (via Diamonds Pro).

Even a simple strand of Mikimoto pearls can set you back thousands of dollars. And the princes only get higher the more intricate the pearls. Therefore, we're inclined to say that Mikimoto really isn't worth the money — save your money and stick to the fake stuff.