A New York man is making a living by literally scraping the streets of Midtown’s Diamond District for tiny chips and pieces of gems and gold, the New York Post reports. Raffi Stepanian, 43, was first discovered on his hands and knees in the middle of a rainstorm, digging through the cracks in the sidewalk with tweezers and a butter knife. According to the paper, Stepanian said that through six days he had collected enough gold for a profit of $819 on 47th Street. He first got the idea to mine the sidewalks after finding gold scraps on the floor of a diamond exchange. He likened the findings to that of a mine, only one step better because his findings are already cut and manufactured. As a freelance diamond setter, Stepanian sifts through mud in search of tiny diamond and ruby chips, gold earring backs, white-gold industrial loops, watches, brooches and necklaces that have been dropped and forgotten. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/20/nyc-man-makes-his-living-by-literally-scraping-streets/#ixzz1pfkIEcTu Quite interesting if you ask me. $819 for 6 days of work isn't too, too bad.
That's pretty impressive. One job you wouldn't figure would be a good one. If there's enough there, good for him. I for one would NOT have taken my story out so others could learn about it. That's just inviting competitors. Just goes to show though, how much of it is actually there, and is just lost or forgotten about.
I agree, while I would be interested in knowing how many hours a day he spent working, I am astounded that it even crossed his mind to hunt for scraps. Thinking about the concept, I have lost many earrings while out and about and know several others who have as well. While I think this man might make this a good opportunity in New York, you won't see me on my hands and knees in our small little town.
Hmm, I thought New York is one city that never sleeps. So I am wondering how he managed to be doing that for hours and not having anyone call the cops or something.
