Posted on 06/20/2011 11:09:16 AM PDT by Puppage
An entrepreneurial Queens man makes his living off New York City streets, but in a manner far different from that which city residents have witnessed before.
Raffi Stepanian, 43, earns his cash scouring the sidewalks in Midtown’s Diamond District for hidden treasure – chips of rubies, diamonds, platinum and gold that somehow fell off their owners’ jewelry and became lodged in the cracks between cement slabs or hopelessly stuck in a piece of gum some passerby flippantly spit out onto the street, according to a report.
In less than a week, Stepanian told The New York Post he amassed enough gold for two sales worth nearly $850 on 47th Street.
“The percentage of gold out here on the street is greater than the amount of gold you would find in a mine,” the Whitestone man told the Post. “It comes close to a mother lode because in the street, you’re picking up gold left by the industry.”
The valuable gem chips are already cut and processed, which makes them even more marketable than the unrefined ore one would find in a mine. And the precious stones are out on the street for anyone willing to get down on his or her knees and look for them, Stepanian says.
“It’s the same principle as collecting cans on the street and redeeming them for nickles,” he told the Post. “It’s redemption of usable gold.”
Wow, the guy's finding precious gems in the street!
In less than a week, Stepanian told The New York Post he amassed enough gold for two sales worth nearly $850 on 47th Street.
Okay, not gems...he's finding gold...
“The percentage of gold out here on the street is greater than the amount of gold you would find in a mine,” the Whitestone man told the Post. “It comes close to a mother lode because in the street, you’re picking up gold left by the industry.”
Yep...gold...
The valuable gem chips are already cut and processed,
Wait...now he's finding gems...?
which makes them even more marketable than the unrefined ore one would find in a mine.
Nope...wait a minute...it's gold again...
And the precious stones are out on the street for anyone willing to get down on his or her knees and look for them, Stepanian says.
Wait...it's gemstones again...?
“It’s the same principle as collecting cans on the street and redeeming them for nickles,” he told the Post. “It’s redemption of usable gold.”
No, no. For sure this time, it's gold. Glad he cleared that up, I was getting sooo confused.
Oh, and I call bullshite on ol' Stepanian's story, including his name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzVM6Q4YwAA
“Gold Fever - Clint Eastwood”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyRdsDg_mjI
“Paint Your Wagon - The Best Things in Life are Dirty”
And to finish, Harve Presnell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCgLNuXSaSc
“”Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria
Away out here they got a name
For rain and wind and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire Joe,
And they call the wind Maria
Maria blows the stars around
And sends the clouds a’flyin’
Maria makes the mountains sound
Like folks were up there dying
Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria
Before I knew Maria’s name
And heard her wail and whinin’
I had a girl and she had me
And the sun was always shinin’
But then one day I left my girl
I left her far behind me
And now I’m lost, so gone and lost
Not even God can find me
Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria
Out here they got a name for rain
For wind and fire only
But when you’re lost and all alone
There ain’t no word but lonely
And I’m a lost and lonely man
Without a star to guide me
Maria blow my love to me
I need my girl beside me
Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria
Maria
Maria!
Blow my love to me””
Sounds like a Seinfeld episode. Substitute Kramer for Stepanian and by the end of the show, everyone in NY is crawling on the sidewalk getting in his way.
” I have a beautiful large diamond earring that I found in the crack in a subway door “
Hey, that’s mine!
” Some years ago in Mass. I was jogging thru a H.S. parking lot and saw a brilliant reflection of sunshine. Turned out it was a small diamond earring. “
Hey, that was mine!
Don’t worry, the city and state will get their due when they inform this guy he violated the “found property” laws.
Oh? Well I put it to good use. I had it put into the ear of my folks little weiner dog.
Yes, and he was good. He has a very nice voice. The song he sang was Eliza. Lee Marvin also sang - A Wandering Star. It was ok, Clint was much better.
The best song in the movie, the theme is you can plan till hell freezes but serendipity rules
Where am I goin’?
I don’t know
Where am I headin’?
I ain’t certain
All I know
Is I am on my way
When will I be there?
I don’t know
When will I get there?
I ain’t certain
All that I know
Is I am on my way
Sorry his voice is barely passable. They tried with John Wayne and that was a disaster. I grew up post singing cowboy and I’m glad I did.
Gold fever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzVM6Q4YwAA&feature=related
Lee Marvin however stays within his range (2 octaves) and the song is especially moving:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CxRc6W2kwk&feature=related
Kinda careless with your stuff aren’t you....
The guy’s a fool for running his mouth about it.
Isn’t that the movie where Clint Eastwood tried singing?
Some old family member dies and those that are taking care of the estate don't know what is real or fake. That also goes for figurines and dinnerware, they just pack up the whole thing and send it to Goodwill or hold a huge garage sale..
love that song and Paint your Wagon was the movie...funny one....
Yep.
And no one is paying for small gemstones like those that fall out of most settings. Those little chips have zero resale value.
IIRC, that was the movie about the gold dust that fell through the cracks in the floors — and a “timeshare wife”... Fun movie!
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