Financials

Brilliant Earth Took a Record Number of Orders in 2022

FinancialsMar 16, 2023

Brilliant Earth Took a Record Number of Orders in 2022

In its recent results, the company highlighted non-bridal jewelry sales and said its “inventory-light” showroom model may change.

20230316_Brilliant Earth pearl ring.jpg
A “Cotillion” cultured pearl and diamond ring in 18-karat yellow gold ($1,390) from Brilliant Earth’s cocktail ring collection. The company saw net sales slip 2 percent in the fourth quarter but rise 16 percent for the full year.
San Francisco—Brilliant Earth ended its fiscal year on a high note, in spite of a slide in the fourth quarter.

“It was a great year for our brand,” CEO Beth Gerstein said on an earnings call Thursday evening.

She highlighted the company’s double-digit revenue growth, its gross margin increase and strong profitability, noting the fourth quarter exceeded its bottom-line expectations.

Here are five key takeaways from Brilliant Earth’s fourth-quarter and full-year results.

It was a strong year for Brilliant Earth, but a weak fourth quarter.

Net sales in the fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31, slipped 2 percent year-over-year to $119.6 million, with net income falling 46 percent to $6.2 million.

Gross profit was $65.4 million, or a 55 percent gross profit margin, compared to $62.3 million, or a 51 percent gross profit margin, in the prior-year period.

Notably, ahead of the holiday season, Brilliant Earth said it would not be discounting to sell through its inventory, with Gerstein adding, “we don’t believe in chasing unprofitable growth.”

The total number of orders rose 14 percent, though the average order value (AOV) fell 14 percent.

The company’s full-year results were better, with net sales up 16 percent to $439.9 million.

However, net income fell 28 percent to $19 million.

Gross profit was $234.3 million, or a 53 percent gross profit margin, compared to $187.4 million, or a 49 percent gross profit margin, in the prior-year period.

Brilliant Earth took a record 149,613 orders in 2022, with total orders up 27 percent year-over-year but AOV down 9 percent.

The company has noted in previous quarters that sales of non-bridal fine jewelry are on the rise but the category has a lower average price point, which is bringing down its AOV.

On Wednesday’s call, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Kuo attributed the decline in AOV to strong demand for items priced below $10,000, in addition to the popularity of its non-bridal fine jewelry.

Brilliant Earth will continue to invest in non-bridal fine jewelry.

Brilliant Earth is best known for its bridal offerings but has been expanding its fine jewelry selection.

It has branched out into cocktail rings and men’s jewelry and has collaborated with popular designers for new collections, including Tacori and Jade Trau.

The company continued to see strong growth in non-bridal fine jewelry and plans to continue to invest in the category.

In Q4, fashion rings, particularly cocktail rings, did well, as did on-trend tennis bracelets and necklaces.

“We know our fine jewelry is attracting new customers to our brand,” said Gerstein, noting that one-third of new customers bought non-bridal fine jewelry.

Its wedding bands were also top sellers.

“2021 was an unprecedented year of growth in bridal for our industry, and, while we anticipate some normalization over the course of this year, we expect to continue to drive share gains as we introduce new collections,” said Gerstein, hinting at some newness coming in the next few weeks.

The brand is resonating with Gen-Z and millennial shoppers, and self-purchasers.

The company also boasted about its appeal to Gen-Z and millennial customers.

Online searches for Brilliant Earth reached an all-time high in Q4, said the company.

The number of customers served in 2022 grew 25 percent.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Notably, it touted 70 percent year-over-year estimated growth in women purchasing jewelry for themselves in 2022.

“We know that self-purchase is an important and growing trend in the jewelry category. And, for Brilliant Earth, our strong brand resonance across genders has been a major driver of new customer and order growth,” said Gerstein. 

As younger shoppers search for brands aligned with their values, Brilliant Earth continues to work toward being a more sustainable jewelry brand.

Alongside its annual results, Brilliant Earth released its 2022 Mission Report, outlining its ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) progress and future goals, which focus on “transparency, sustainability, compassion, and inclusion.”

Its goals include using 100 percent recycled or Fairmined certified precious metals by 2025 and improving its traceability efforts.

Brilliant Earth’s store network will keep expanding, and its inventory model may evolve.

Though it started as an online-only business, Brilliant Earth has been expanding its brick-and-mortar presence.

In 2022, the company opened new showrooms in 10 cities, including Houston, Minneapolis, Detroit, and St. Louis.

Its first opening of 2023 was in Charlotte, North Carolina, marking its 26th location. The company plans to open 10 new locations this year, including stores in Brooklyn, New York; Tampa, Florida; and Pasadena, California.

Brilliant Earth’s stores function as showrooms. They are light on inventory, with customers viewing select jewelry on display and then placing orders online.

However, this model may change, said Kuo.

“Over time, as we successfully expand fine jewelry to be a larger percentage of our business and grow our showroom footprint, we do anticipate our inventory model will evolve to accommodate those needs,” he said.

The company is approaching the year ahead with cautious confidence.

Looking to the year ahead, the company is expecting first-quarter net sales of $94 million to $96 million with adjusted EBITDA of $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

For fiscal 2023, Brilliant Earth is forecasting new sales of $460 million to $490 million with adjusted EBITDA of $17 million to $32 million.

Gerstein said, “We feel great about the strength of our brand and the resilience of this category and we are balancing that with some degree of caution given the current environment and recognizing that we are coming off of our biggest year in weddings.”

She added the company has plans to reach new customers and retain the loyalty of its existing ones via design innovation, marketing efforts, expanding its fine jewelry selection, improving its omnichannel experience, and opening new showrooms.

The Latest

Tiffany & Co. Love Is a Gift Campaign and David Yurman The Joy of Extraordinary Memories campaign
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns

Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.

Hand holding holiday shopping bags
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This Year

The National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.

The Rainbow Collection Christies
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’s

Late collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

 Sapphire tennis necklace
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace

At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.

Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Foundrae Palm Beach Location Exterior and Founder Beth Hutchens
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’

The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.

AGTA Spectrum winners
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors

Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.

20-Under-40-2025-LV.png
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for Members

From educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.

G. St x Jewel Boxing Raffle for City Harvest Graphic
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food Rescue

All proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.

Courtney Cornell
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New President

Courtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.

Trucks at Orapa diamond mine
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3

De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.

Ulrich Wohn
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts

Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.

Artifex White Diamond, Fancy Dark Yellowish Brown Diamond, and Blue Sapphire Rings
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction Debut

Kindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.

Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall Peace Medallion
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%

The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.

US Supreme Court
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case Wednesday

Ahead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.

Stuller Inc.’s Danny Clark, Matt Stuller, and Belit Myers
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt Stuller

Stuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.

Headshot of National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold?

Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.

Mellerio Jardin Pierreries Necklace
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November Birthdays

Citrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.

Weston Jewelers Fort Lauderdale store rendering
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort Lauderdale

The family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.

Two of the three suspects in burglary at Queens jeweler’s home
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home

The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.

Matthew Rosenheim
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board Chair

The trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.

Muse’s Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good Collection on Flaviana Matata
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDG

The “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.

Christies Kashmir sapphire ring
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online Auction

The ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.

Heavenly Vices Mother Father Spinner Necklace
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’

This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.

Interpol Stolen Works of Art Database, The Louvre Museum Graphic
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing

The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.

My Next Question webinar graphic
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your Business

Experts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy