Thirty years ago, Howard Tapper sold his car to raise money for his first jewelry store. Now, Howard and his brother Steven are president and vice president of a successful jewelry company. Tapper's Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, with its flagship 16,000-square-foot store in West Bloomfield, was the only local retailer to take a prime spot in the new Nordstrom wing at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.

To celebrate the company's growth and 30 years in the business, the company hopes to raise $300,000 for South African AIDS relief efforts. Nearly 80% of the world's platinum supplies are found in South Africa. Tapper's will donate a portion of every platinum jewelry purchase to AIDS relief and will encourage its customers to donate by giving $30 gift certificates to everyone who donates a minimum of $30.

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