Making Deals on 47th Street, The Diamond District

Photo by myself on 47th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, in Midtown

The Diamond District is comprised of one block in Midtown, lined with retailers of gemstones and pawn shops.

People stand outside each store, watching for passersby and making deals. It's not clear what is being said or done, but there is a constant, underlying energy.

The retail stores are filled with little booths and smaller stores inside. In addition to diamonds, you can also find platinum, gold, gemstones and pearls. If you are shopping, you can trade some of your jewelry in as part of the deal.

Most of the workers on the sidewalks and in the booths are men, for whatever reason. Traditionally too, there are many Orthodox Jews in this business. One man in the center is wearing a fur hat and overcoat, the other is wearing a yarmulke.

The last time I tried taking photos on this block, I was confronted by a store worker. Maybe he thought I was planning a robbery? It looks like chaos but people are very watchful on this street.

For more information about the Diamond District, visit the website for the neighborhood here.

Related posts: Moving and Shaking, The Diamond District, Lost in a Crowd, Midtown and Fighting the Crowds in Midtown.