One of the oldest American jewelry companies, Imperial Pearl Co Inc began its history in 1917 in Providence, Rhode Island. Its founder was 24-year-old Joseph Gladstone, who successfully ran the company for forty years. Initially, Imperial Pearl Co Inc manufactured exquisite jewelry under the brands – “IWI” and “Imperial”. The trademark “IPS” (an abbreviation of the company name) appeared only in 1941, when the president of the company Joseph Gladstone renamed it the Imperial Pearl Syndicate.

The design of “IPS” jewelry is quite classic and traditional for post-war jewelry fashion. In particular, exquisite floral motifs, circular brooches with curls, filigree oval cameos, etc. Creating jewelry by hand, the jewelers used gold filling, silver, rhinestones, crystals, and of course, pearls.

Noteworthy, a wide advertising campaign with the participation of famous Hollywood actresses added to the company’s success. Among them were such celebrities and jewelry lovers as Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple and Loretta Young. Today, through advertisements and magazine posters we can follow the history of the iconic company.

The early 1950s became the heyday of the company, according to Joseph Goldstone. “Short Supply, Strong Demand, Seen Pushing Pearl Prices Domestic demand for cultured pearls hit an all-time high for the first six months of 1951. This, coupled with the exhaustion of fine quality supplies in the Far East, will keep prices on the upswing. He predicted 1951 as “one of the greatest years in this field.” (1951 jeweler’s circular keystone).

IPS Imperial Pearl Syndicate jewelry