Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2015
Blue Nile goes brick-and-mortar
The Seattle-based e-tailer plans to open a standalone store in one of the country’s “top malls” where customers can see and try on its rings, though they will still have to buy them online.
Seattle--Blue Nile is moving its showcase experiment from Nordstrom into its own storefront.
CEO Harvey Kanter announced during the company’s earnings call Tuesday morning that the Seattle-based e-tailer would be opening a standalone showcase store in one of the country’s “top malls,” though he declined to say specifically when and where.
The store will mirror the brick-and-mortar presence Blue Nile launched in recent years in two Nordstrom locations: Customers can see and try on rings from Blue Nile’s inventory and consult with one of its employees, but won’t be able to walk out of the store with a purchase. Any buying that happens in the store will be done on a tablet computer via Blue Nile’s website, and the ring will be delivered just as it is when customers order online.
“Like the Nordstrom test this also is a test from which we will learn and leverage to grow,” he said.
Though Kanter called the showcase experience in Nordstrom a “success” during Tuesday’s call, other remarks he made indicated that Blue Nile did not get everything it wanted out of the in-store experiment.
When asked by an analyst later in the call about the Nordstrom test, Kanter allowed that the bridal salon where Blue Nile’s showcase was located was not the highest traffic area. He said having its own freestanding store in a leading mall where there’s more foot traffic will provide Blue Nile with a “materially bigger” opportunity to drive brick-and-mortar shoppers onto its website and grow its revenue base.
He said Blue Nile will not keep the showcases in either Nordstrom store.
Blue Nile is not the first online-only retailer to experiment with having a brick-and-mortar presence. Amazon has done the same, as has Boston-based Gemvara.
RELATED CONTENT: What’s ailing the Internet giants
Kanter’s announcement came as the e-tailer reported disappointing fourth quarter sales.
Net sales were up 8 percent year-over-year to $157.4 million, though $5.9 million of that was due to the fiscal fourth quarter having an extra week this year. Taking out those sales, fourth quarter revenue grew only 4 percent year-over-year.
Fourth quarter net income was down slightly, from $4.9 million to $4.8 million.
“This quarter’s results are below our expectations, as the general slowdown that affected the industry also affected our performance,” Kanter said during the call.
Despite what he termed a “challenging” quarter for the jewelry industry, Blue Nile
reported record engagement ring sales in the U.S. in Q4. They increased 8 percent to $85 million, $2.9 million of which came in that additional week.
Non-engagement ring sales in the U.S. were up 6 percent to $48.8 million, $1.8 million of which were in the additional week.
International sales for the fourth quarter were up 16 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis and including the additional week. Kanter said on the call that China is Blue Nile’s largest market outside the U.S., and that the company is opening a fulfillment center in Canada.
For the full fiscal year ended Jan. 4, Blue Nile’s net sales were up 5 percent, from $450.0 to $473.5 million. Net income declined year-over-year from $10.9 to $9.7 million.
In the second quarter Blue Nile, which already has exclusive lines with fashion designers Monique Lhuillier and Zac Posen, plans to add another exclusive line with a brand ambassador, though Kanter did not provide any more details on who he, or she, is.
More on Financials
The Latest
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
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.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
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.
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.
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.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
