I was out photographing on the street, as I often am, when I stumbled into Nekta New York. It is a legacy business in the most New York sense of the word. As you may know, I am in my bones a street photographer. I love tripping over parallel universes. Storytelling is my greatest joy. Naturally, one day, when I was out shooting, I ended up on 47th Street. I walked into several shops to put my lens in front of real people in a land I know nothing about. That’s where I met Mike Nekta.
Mike’s shop is a third generation empire - since 1972 - with bling for miles and armed guards everywhere. Mike Nekta really knows his stuff. He was happy to let me photograph his store, and showed me every permutation of mined and lab diamond as far as the eye can see. I even tried on a 40 carat ring I can only describe as an exquisite beast, which cost more than I’d make in three lifetimes. “Finance bros and crypto kids buy these”. My jaw hit the floor.
Mike’s work is remarkable. The designs he makes are synonymous with his brand. If you need an engagement ring, look no further. Mike also stands behind his work. Leon diamonds will repair anything and they’ll even clean it up for you if you stop in. I love this service. My rings get so filthy with sunblock and hand sanitizer that I barely recognize them sometimes. Being able to stop in to get it polished up is a great service. Plus it’s a way to say hello and see what’s going on at your local shop. Community is very important to Mike’s brand. He is a guy who likes to give back.
I must admit, as someone who doesn’t roll in rocks, I was intrigued. I recently considered having something made with some diamonds from my family. Mike took time to explain to me the explosion of the lab diamond craze and how these stones compare to mined stones. He very wisely offered that the most environmentally responsible way to source jewelry is to use heritage stones. As long as you’re willing to embrace the imperfections (I love that idea) inherent in this process, it’s the best way to go.
Mike also shared he does not buy mined stones from conflict zones, and that they are certified by something called the Kimberly Process. This means that they do their best to buy stones that don’t finance civil war or human trafficking. It isn’t perfect, Mike says, but it’s the standard reputable dealers hold themselves to.
You can see on my TikTok videos and interviews with the owners.
