Brilliant Earth Reports 51% Sales Growth in 2021
The retailer attributed its success to its appeal to younger consumers, expansion in non-bridal jewelry, and growing network of showrooms.
The San Francisco-based retailer reported Wednesday it had a record quarter in Q4 2021, with net sales reaching $121.9 million, its highest ever quarterly sales performance.
Sales were up 38 percent year-over-year, outperforming expectations, and were nearly double what the retailer recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019, pre-pandemic.
Net income was $11.4 million, down from $13.4 million in the fourth quarter 2020.
For the year, Brilliant Earth reported sales totaling $380.2 million, a 51 percent increase over 2021 and up 89 percent when compared with 2019.
Net income increased to $26.3 million, up from $21.6 million in FY2021.
During Wednesday evening’s earnings call, Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein said the company’s fourth quarter was “an excellent finish to a strong year of growth.”
She cited its expansion beyond bridal into “trend-forward” fine jewelry that appeals to self-purchasers, the strong performance of its new showrooms, and the brand’s appeal to millennial and Gen Z consumers as the factors behind its strong performance.
She said younger consumers are “embracing the brand” because of the beauty and quality of its products, and its pledge on ethical sourcing and commitment to inclusion.
Last year, the company nearly doubled its physical footprint, opening new showrooms in six cities: Seattle; Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; Dallas; New York; and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Brilliant Earth now has 15 showrooms nationwide and she said the company will be opening additional locations “soon,” including one in Bethesda, Maryland, its second in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
During Wednesday’s call, Gerstein also addressed the issue of Russian diamonds in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
She noted that the company removed all Russian-origin stones from its website earlier this quarter, “ahead of our peers.”
She said the company does not expect the exclusion of Russian goods to have a material impact on its financial performance because of the company’s “diverse” supply chain, a point she reiterated later in the call in response to an analyst’s question.
Looking ahead to 2022, Gerstein said the company has continued to perform well post-holiday and is positioned to deliver another year of “significant” growth.
Brilliant Earth forecasts first-quarter sales will total $96 million to $98 million, up 36 to 39 percent over last year.
For fiscal year 2022, sales are expected to total between $485 million and $500 million, with year-over-year growth of 28 to 32 percent.
The Latest
Members of the founding family have partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to acquire Nordstrom.
The brand has opened its second U.S. location in the Fontainebleau resort and casino.
Associate Editor Lauren McLemore highlights pieces from the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards she’d be thrilled to unwrap on Christmas.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
The move is one of several cost-cutting measures outlined by the company as it faces a weaker luxury market and other challenges.
The retailer’s “On the Clock” campaign celebrates how time, precision, and purpose come together.
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco chose her 12 favorite Piece of the Week picks from the year gone by.
‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
Lab clients have the option to request this addition on their emerald reports.
Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
In the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Co-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
Along with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
The man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
The average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
The nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
The videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
The luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
The nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
Gearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.