CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
FinancialsMay 01, 2014
Blue Nile Q1 sales up, mobile visits climb
Online retailer Blue Nile reported that sales hit $103.7 million in the company’s first quarter, a 7 percent year-over-year increase.
Seattle--Online retailer Blue Nile reported that sales hit $103.7 million in the company’s first quarter, a 7 percent year-over-year increase.
Sales of engagement rings in the United States during the first quarter ended March 30 were up 8 percent, increasing from $55.3 million to $59.7 million.
Non-engagement sales also were up, rising 8 percent to $26.1 million, led by diamond jewelry and wedding bands, both of which grew by double digits, according to Blue Nile, as the company works to diversify the types of products they sell. The pearl and gem categories also continue to be important for the retailer.
Blue Nile said it remains focused on three major initiatives in 2014--enhancing the user experience on its website, developing the product lines in bridal and diamond jewelry, and expanding internationally by building a presence in China and growing in the established overseas markets.
The company is working to create a seamless shopping experience across all devices. During the first quarter, the company launched a number of new adaptive features and refined aspects launched late last year.
Revenue attributed to visitors from mobile devices in the first quarter grew by more than 40 percent, the company said in its conference call on Thursday, and revenue from tablets grew by over 20 percent.
“When we look at the conversion rates and revenue that’s being attributed to people that first come to us on their phone or on their tablet, we’re looking at pretty significant double-digit growth rates in revenue per visit on those devices versus last year, and that’s something that we can see directly correlates with platform enhancements that we began last year,” said Chief Financial Officer David Binder.
RELATED CONTENT: Blue Nile collaborates for more designer offerings
In addition, after seeing success with its initial partnership with fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, the company decided to expand its designer offerings through its “Designer Collective,” a section of the site that showcases a number of established and emerging brands. The online collection offers 14- and 18-karat gold and sterling silver pieces created uniquely for Blue Nile, ranging in price from $55 to $6,000.
While it’s still early days for the collective, CEO Harvey Kanter said that “the customer is definitely responding to certain elements,” adding that they have “seen the customers starting to pick and choose between the offers,” to give them more direction for the future.
Blue
Nile added that most of the opportunity for growth in international markets comes from China. The country drove sales in the Asia-Pacific market, which grew by nearly 11 percent in the first quarter and represents nearly 60 percent of total international revenue.
International sales for the company in the first quarter increased 2 percent at constant exchange rates, from $17.6 million in 2013 to $17.9 million in 2014.
Looking ahead at the second quarter of 2014, Blue Nile said that it expects net sales to be between $108 million and $113 million.
More on Financials
The Latest
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
