NYC Guide

The Diamond District: A Complete Guide to NYC’s 47th Street

One block in Midtown Manhattan. Hundreds of dealers. Billions in inventory. Everything you need to know about NYC's Diamond District before you visit — from a buyer who works there.

February 10, 2026 2 min read

There is one block in New York City where you can buy a $500 engagement ring or a $500,000 diamond necklace — often within 50 feet of each other. It’s 47th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and it’s known worldwide simply as the Diamond District.

We’re based here. Suite 906, 9th floor, 30 W 47th Street. We’ve watched this block change over 15 years, and we know it better than almost anyone.

What Is the Diamond District?

The Diamond District is a single city block — W 47th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues — that houses the highest concentration of jewelry dealers and precious metal buyers in the United States. Estimates put the daily value of goods traded here at over $400 million.

The block is lined with storefronts at street level, but the real action is upstairs. Multiple floors of office buildings contain hundreds of individual dealers, jewelers, setters, polishers, appraisers, and buyers — many operating in small booths within shared exchanges.

A Brief History

47th Street became the center of the American diamond trade in the 1940s, when Jewish diamond dealers fleeing Europe relocated to New York. The Diamond Dealers Club, founded in 1931, moved to 47th Street and became the regulatory body governing diamond trading in the area. For decades, the block operated almost entirely in cash and handshakes — deals worth millions sealed with “mazel and bracha.”

What’s Actually There

Retail jewelry stores — Selling finished jewelry directly to the public
Diamond dealers — Wholesale and retail loose diamond sales
Jewelry exchanges — Multi-vendor marketplaces inside larger buildings
Precious metal buyers — Buying gold, silver, platinum, coins, and estate jewelry
Watch dealers — New, pre-owned, and vintage luxury watches
Repair shops — Ring sizing, stone setting, polishing, engraving
Appraisers — Independent GIA-certified appraisers

Selling in the Diamond District

If you’re selling — gold, diamonds, watches, silver, platinum — 47th Street is one of the best places in the world to get a fair price. Buyers here deal in volume, have direct market access, and compete with each other, which generally drives offers up compared to suburban jewelry stores or pawn shops.

Get multiple offers — walk into 2–3 buyers and compare
Know roughly what you have — understanding your gold karat or diamond carat helps
Bring documentation — GIA certificates, original receipts, appraisals
Don’t accept the first offer if it feels low

Tips Before You Visit

Getting there: Closest subway is B/D/F/M at 47–50th St Rockefeller Center, or E/M at 5th Ave
Best time: Weekday mornings 10am–12pm are typically least crowded
What to bring: Whatever you’re selling or want appraised
Safety: Professional environment with extensive security infrastructure

We’re at 30 W 47th Street, Suite 906, 9th floor. Walk-ins welcome Monday–Friday 10am–6pm.

30 W 47th St, Suite 906

Ninth floor, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue, in the middle of the Diamond District block. Walk-ins welcome Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm.

Subway

B, D, F, M to 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center — exit at 47th Street and walk half a block east. Closest stop, under two minutes.
N, Q, R, W to 49 St, then two blocks south.
7 to Fifth Ave–Bryant Park, then five blocks north.
4, 5, 6 to 51 St, or to Grand Central–42 St and west on 47th.
1 to 50 St, then east toward Sixth Avenue.

Commuter rail

Metro-North into Grand Central Terminal — roughly a ten-minute walk west along 47th Street, no transfer needed.
LIRR, NJ Transit and Amtrak into Penn Station — take the B, D, F or M uptown one stop to Rockefeller Center, or walk about fifteen minutes.
PATH to 33rd Street, then the B, D, F or M uptown.

Bus

M1, M2, M3, M4 run along Fifth and Madison Avenues and stop within a block.
M5, M7 run on Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
M50 crosstown covers 49th and 50th Streets.

Driving & parking

There is effectively no street parking on this block. Several garages sit on 47th and 46th Street between Fifth and Sixth, and more along Sixth Avenue — booking ahead through a parking app is usually cheaper than the drive-up rate. From the FDR, exit at 49th Street and head west. From the West Side Highway, exit at 56th Street and head south and east.

Coming in with a large lot

If you're bringing a significant quantity, call before you come. We'll have the right person at the counter and can arrange for you to come up without waiting. For estates and bulk lots we can also discuss secure transport.