faux or genuine mikimoto pearls

by Paul Meyer
(Maryland)

I just acquired a string of pearls with NO clasp in a cloth box saying "Mikimoto pearls". Attached to both ends of the string is a seal with embossed letters JCE placed on clam-shaped piece of paper saying Mikimoto. Are these genuine Mikimotos sold to authorized dealers who subsequently will add your preferred clasp? I heard, but cannot verify, of a Manila company selling faux mikimotos with a JCE seal. Please help quickly. I have only 48 hours to return the pearls. Thanks, Paul