U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
Blue Nile collaborates for more designer offerings
After seeing success with its first partnership with a designer, online retailer Blue Nile will showcase a select number of established and emerging brands through its new “Designer Collective.”

Seattle--After seeing success with its first partnership with a designer, online retailer Blue Nile will showcase a select number of established and emerging brands through its new “Designer Collective.”
The online showcase offers 14- and 18-karat gold and sterling silver pieces that designers made uniquely for the collaboration with Blue Nile, ranging in price from $55 to $6,000.
Featured designers include Anne Sportun, Bree Richey, Denise James and Robert Leser. The collective also will offer pieces from Blue Nile Studio, which includes jewelry from several designers in the industry whose names could not be disclosed, Blue Nile said.
The Designer Collective jewelry currently can be purchased online, but Blue Nile could not give any indication how long it would be available due to contractual reasons.
“The Designer Collective raises the profile of a group of incredibly talented designers and offers our customers a more bespoke product assortment,” said Blue Nile Chief Merchandising Officer Julie Yoakum. “Our customers choose Blue Nile not only for our fine quality, value, and guidance, but also for our personalized designs, and the Designer Collective will enhance their experience.”
The collective builds on Blue Nile’s 2012 partnership with Monique Lhuillier Fine Jewelry, its first collaboration with a designer, which the company said “saw considerable success.”
In addition to bringing designers to the forefront, the collective also serves as a way to bring more bespoke fine jewelry pieces to the site’s customers.
“The main reason I wanted to be a part of the Designer Collective is because I felt that it was a great opportunity to introduce my brand to a large audience,” designer Bree Richey said told National Jeweler. “I think that it is a great idea on the part of Blue Nile to embrace new and upcoming designers with a platform like the Designer Collective--it’s just another way to get their customers the kind of jewelry they are looking for.”
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