A 47th Street Story

Diamond Engagement Rings. All about family 💎

I was out photographing on the street, as I often am, when I stumbled into 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.

I photograph a lot of engagement photography and proposals in NYC. That describes the limit of what I know about fine jewelry.

This shop is a third generation empire - since 1972 - with bling for miles and armed guards everywhere. The owner 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.

I learned 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 is standard now 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, but it’s the standard reputable dealers hold themselves to.

You can see on my TikTok videos and interviews with the owners.