The company, Deltah, began in 1893 when M.J. Karpeles established the nation's oldest firm specializing in fine simulated pearl jewelry. The business started producing fine quality simulated pearls and pearl jewelry. Deltah was purchased by L. Heller at the turn of the century. L. Heller & Son, Inc.
Imperial, which was founded by Joseph Gladstone in 1932 at a time of increased growth for the pearl industry, began operating in Chicago. This particular business specialized in importing and selling Japanese Cultured Pearls. Imperial became among the first to bring the valued Akoya pearls ...
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Thousands of years ago, perhaps while foraging for food along an ancient seashore, an enterprising person first pried an oyster open. That person was undoubtedly surprised to find a beautiful pearl cradled inside the oyster’s delicious flesh. Unlike crystalline gems such as emeralds and rubies, which are hidden in pockets of the earth’s crust, pearls are precious gems formed inside the bodies of oysters and other mollusks.