Photography of the Diamond District 47th Street

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This is a hard scrabble street with a lot of stories. 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.

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

Prints available for sale Proofs are 11×14”, exhibition size is 16×20”.