FinancialsSep 01, 2022
Signet Sets Sights on Bridal Market as Q2 Sales SlipMajorsSep 07, 2022
Signet Seals the Deal on Blue Nile Acquisition
The jewelry giant has purchased Blue Nile for $360 million in cash as it looks to draw in younger, richer tech-savvy consumers.
Pictured is the Blue Nile showroom in Silicon Valley in California. Signet Jewelers recently finalized its acquisition of the retailer.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd. has finalized its acquisition of Blue Nile.
The jewelry giant announced its plan to acquire Blue Nile last month, signing a definitive agreement to buy the company for $360 million in cash.
Founded in 1999, the Seattle-based retailer got its start as an online-only operation but has since expanded to physical retail.
Its 23 showrooms stock little inventory, allowing customers to view products in person before ultimately purchasing them online.
“We can learn from this low inventory showroom model,” said Signet CEO Virginia Drosos on a recent earnings call. “We see incredible synergy opportunities with Blue Nile and James Allen.”
According to National Jeweler estimates, Blue Nile’s 2021 sales clocked in at $741.1 million, landing the retailer in the No. 10 spot on the magazine’s most recent list of $100 Million Supersellers.
Related stories will be right here …
The jewelry giant announced its plan to acquire Blue Nile last month, signing a definitive agreement to buy the company for $360 million in cash.
Founded in 1999, the Seattle-based retailer got its start as an online-only operation but has since expanded to physical retail.
Its 23 showrooms stock little inventory, allowing customers to view products in person before ultimately purchasing them online.
“We can learn from this low inventory showroom model,” said Signet CEO Virginia Drosos on a recent earnings call. “We see incredible synergy opportunities with Blue Nile and James Allen.”
According to National Jeweler estimates, Blue Nile’s 2021 sales clocked in at $741.1 million, landing the retailer in the No. 10 spot on the magazine’s most recent list of $100 Million Supersellers.
Signet said it scooped up the company in an effort to boost its bridal offerings and digital capabilities.
“It has the highest brand recognition of any digital pure-play jewelry retailer and expands the top end of our accessible luxury offerings,” said Drosos.
Its “Accessible Luxury” portfolio includes Jared, James Allen and recently acquired Diamonds Direct.
The company is also looking to reach a customer demographic that is younger, more affluent and ethnically diverse.
It’s official – Blue Nile is now part of the Signet family of banners. Blue Nile furthers our goal to be the growth and innovation leader of the jewelry industry by welcoming a new, younger, affluent and diverse customer and expanding our share of the jewelry market. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VQIL24nfMn
— Signet Jewelers (@SignetJewelers) August 24, 2022
Drosos confirmed the acquisition had closed during the company’s second-quarter earnings call last week.
“We now expect the Blue Nile acquisition to be accretive through both revenue and cost synergies no later than Q4 of next year,” she said.
Chief Financial Officer Joan Hilson shared more details about the closing of the deal.
“We closed the transaction recently. Our team has been on the ground over the last week or so, really pulling together and working hand-in-hand with the Blue Nile team to put together our holiday plans,” said Hilson.
“Based on the work that we’ve done, we’re very excited about the opportunities for synergy and the ability to integrate the two banners with the James Allen team and really leveraging the synergies of the back office,” she added.
Blue Nile joins a list of recent acquisitions for Signet Jewelers, including Diamonds Direct and Rocksbox.
“We now expect the Blue Nile acquisition to be accretive through both revenue and cost synergies no later than Q4 of next year,” she said.
Chief Financial Officer Joan Hilson shared more details about the closing of the deal.
“We closed the transaction recently. Our team has been on the ground over the last week or so, really pulling together and working hand-in-hand with the Blue Nile team to put together our holiday plans,” said Hilson.
“Based on the work that we’ve done, we’re very excited about the opportunities for synergy and the ability to integrate the two banners with the James Allen team and really leveraging the synergies of the back office,” she added.
Blue Nile joins a list of recent acquisitions for Signet Jewelers, including Diamonds Direct and Rocksbox.
More on Majors
The Latest
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
