Diamond Buying Guide

TAPPER’S DIAMOND BUYING GUIDE

DIAMOND BUYING GUIDE

VISIT TAPPER’S TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING DIAMOND PURCHASE, OR FIND US ONLINE AT WWW.TAPPERS.COM. Purchasing a diamond, especially an engagement ring, is not only a very exciting time in a couple’s relationship, but it can also be a purchase that may cause considerable apprehension.

ARE YOU READY TO POP THE QUESTION?

There are some key components in the purchase of a diamond that will help you make the best decision for your budget, THE 4 Cs and for your partner. When most people talk about diamonds, the more important aspects to consider Visit Tapper’s to discuss this important are “the 4 Cs,” which include the Clarity, and thrilling step in your relationship. Color, Cut, and Carat of each diamond. YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE SHAPE AND STYLE WHEN SELECTING AN ENGAGEMENT RING.

SHAPE STYLE Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes from the Tapper’s has created six classifications of more traditional to more distinctive shapes. Each engagement rings as an easy guide to select has its defining characteristics and has something the perfect style that is right for you. different to offer each wearer.

Brilliant Princess Cushion Solitaire Halo

Micro Pavé Three Stone Radiant Emerald Oval VISIT TAPPER’S TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING DIAMOND PURCHASE, OR FIND US ONLINE AT WWW.TAPPERS.COM.

Shared Prong Channel Set Pear Asscher Marquise CLARITY

The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number and size of internal characteristics (inclusions) and external characteristics (blemishes) which occur naturally in diamonds. At Tapper’s, we approach the clarity of a diamond as its unique personality and what makes the diamond specific to the wearer. Small inclusions that are only visible under magnification are not likely to diminish the beauty of a diamond. Most inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and the smaller the inclusion, the less likely it will interfere with light as it passes through the diamond causing unhindered sparkle.

F IF VVS-1 VVS-2 VS-1 VS-2 SI-1 SI-2 I-1 I-2 I-3

No Inclusions Very, Very Small Inclusions Very Small Inclusions Small Inclusions Included Contain no inclusions under Contain minuscule inclusions Contain minor inclusions in a Contain noticeable inclusions Contain obvious inclusions 10x magnification. difficult to locate even under range of sizes, number, and easily visible under 10x visible under 10x magnification. 10x magnification. locations. magnification. IF diamonds may include May be visible to the unaided very small blemishes on the Pinpoints, faint clouds, tiny Fairly difficult to locate under Certain inclusions in some SI eye in the face-up position. diamond surface. feathers, or bruises of internal 10x magnification. diamonds may be visible to graining. the untrained eye. Small included crystals, small feathers, and distinct clouds.

CLARITY GRADES OF VVS-1 TO SI-2 HAVE VERY LITTLE IMPACT ON THE APPEARANCE, OR SPARKLE, OF YOUR DIAMOND. IF ANYTHING, THE CLARITY OF YOUR DIAMOND MERELY CONNECTS IT TO ITS ORIGIN IN NATURE. COLOR

Many people think of gem quality diamonds as colorless, however, truly colorless diamonds are actually very rare. Most diamonds that are used for jewelry are near colorless with tints of yellow and brown; these tints are rarely noticeable to the untrained eye. Diamonds are compared to a master set to determine their coloring, and then the diamond is given a letter grade that corresponds to the range of noticeable color.

D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

NEAR FAINT VERY LIGHT LIGHT COLORLESS COLORLESS YELLOW YELLOW YELLOW

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE GRADE AND ANOTHER IS VERY SUBTLE, AS CAN BE SEEN BY THE NUMBER OF GRADES WITHIN ANY ONE CATEGORY. CUT

The proportions with which a diamond is cut greatly affects the waythe diamond performs in the light. Diamonds with carefully crafted proportions, symmetry, and polish have optimal interaction with light causing increased brightness, fire, and scintillation.

Star Length Table Size Excellent Cut Cut Grades When light enters an Round brilliant diamonds Crown ideally cut diamond, it is Angle refracted from facet to This pyramid represents the total volume Girdle Crown Height facet and comes back of gem quality diamonds on the market. Thickness through the top to the eye.

Thick Cut Excellent Tapper’s only If a diamond is cut too Cut sells the top Pavilion Total Depth deep, much of the light is three grades Angle refracted at poor angles Very of quality. and lost out the side. Pavilion Depth Good Cut

Lower Girdle/ Good Cut Half Facet Length

Thin Cut Fair Cut If the diamond is cut too shallow, much of the light fails to be refracted at all Poor Cut and leaks out of the bottom.

TWO DIAMONDS WITH IDENTICAL COLOR AND CLARITY, BUT CUT DIFFERENTLY, WILL VARY IN VALUE BY AS MUCH AS 50% — SOMETIMES EVEN MORE. CARAT

The weight of a diamond seems to be the most popular item to discuss, and it is relatively simple to determine. A carat is 200 milligrams (1/5 of a gram) and is divided into 100 points, much like a dollar into pennies. Thus, a half carat diamond is 50 points and is listed as 0.50 carats.

0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00 3.00 carat carat carat carat carat carat carat carat

THE WORD ‘CARAT’ ORIGINATED IN A NATURAL UNIT OF WEIGHT — THE SEEDS OF THE CAROB TREE. DIAMONDS WERE TRADITIONALLY WEIGHED AGAINST THESE SEEDS UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS STANDARDIZED AND ONE CARAT WAS FIXED AT 0.2 GRAMS. TAPPER’S DIFFERENCE

TAPPER’S IS A CUT ABOVE INDEPENDENT CERTIFICATION BEST VALUE GUARANTEE Our mission is to provide you with a luxury ASSURANCE We are direct diamond importers, so we shopping experience and unparalleled Tapper’s offers a wide selection of do not pay fees to a middleman. This allows customer service. As a multi-generation diamonds for our clients to view and us to offer you the best price in the market, family-owned business, we bring a long consider for purchase. We supply an guaranteed. If, within 30 days, you happen term perspective to all of our relationships, independent grading certification from a to find a better value for the same diamond driven by honesty, accountability, community recognized laboratory with the purchase of (from a physical store location) with all the involvement, and excellence. We are one of our diamonds. This is an evaluation same characteristics and measurements, committed to delivering on this promise and certification of the diamond’s clarity, we will offer you a better value or refund every day. color, cut, and carat weight. The labs your money. performing the certification are completely APPRAISALS objective, which delivers a special quality TRADE-IN - TRADE-UP Tapper’s provides comprehensive appraisals guarantee to our customers. There may be Tapper’s will credit you the full purchase by our in-house CGA (Certified Gemologist some differences in grading reports from price of the engagement ring center Appraiser), certified by the American the various laboratories that could have diamond, diamond studs, the diamonds Gem Society. These appraisals offer an an impact on the price of the diamond you from an anniversary band, eternity band or unparalleled level of accuracy and care in purchase. eternity bracelet, less the mounting, towards evaluating your jewelry. the purchase of a diamond or diamond jewelry of at least twice the value.

VISIT TAPPER’S TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING DIAMOND PURCHASE, OR FIND US ONLINE AT WWW.TAPPERS.COM.

WEST BLOOMFIELD SOMERSET COLLECTION TWELVE OAKS MALL 248.932.7700 248.649.2000 248.465.1800