47th Street Photography

47th Street Photography

47th Street Photography: access to a parallel universe. 

This is a hard scrabble street with a lot of stories. It is within limits, that anything is possible.

Some businesses here stretch back half a century. Many are generational, adapting as the industry changes. Some, however, are brand new.

One in particular is the brain child of Babak (“Bobby”) Ermankhah of Azad Watches.  He launched the company because needed a new job after a layoff. He was an electrical engineer with the MTA and did a pivot. “I hate luxury” he admits. “I don’t even like jewelry”. In spite of this he’s built a thriving watch company. He employs about a dozen artisans above his shop. They all seem to love him.

47th Street Photography: all about family.

I’m learning what these legacy businesses mean to the owners. LEON Diamonds is a third generation, Orthodox-run empire with bling for miles and armed guards everywhere. Another, Turkish-run and owned, is a polishing company called BZB Polishing “We do a lot of B2B and have regular customers” says Sarkis Kucukyantiryan, the son of the founder. As I slowly embed myself into this work, I enjoy learning their stories. You can see on my TikTok videos of interviews with the owners.

“The developers circle like vultures, hungry to turn this untamed block into another sanitized American mall. But for now, it remains an oasis, a place that still hums with the unruly soul of the city.” Jeremiah Moss

Three diamond strands at Iannelli Diamonds on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan. Shot by Angela Cappetta.

M.A. Jewelry upstairs.

Umayan Jewelry upstairs.

The entrance to the workshop of Azad Watches on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

A sign holder with blue eyes on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

A large pink amethyst sits atop an iPhone on the counter at Imperial Jewelry on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

Three diamond strands at Iannelli Diamonds on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

Two diamond bands shown by Mario Iannelli at Iannelli diamonds on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

All about Family

BZB Polishing workshop on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

A rare 5 carat yellow diamond from Leon Diamonds on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan. The ring retails for $5M USD. Yes I tried it on.

$0.5M USD custom watches from Imperial Jewelry on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

A tribute to the owner’s late brother at Iannelli Diamonds on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

Engagement rings from Leon Diamonds on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

Pavé necklaces at Imperial Jewelry on W47th street in the Jewelry District of Manhattan.

47th Street Photography of the Diamond District in NYC