The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
Lightbox is Headed to Blue Nile
The De Beers-owned lab-grown diamond brand is also cutting the ribbon on a new production facility just outside of Portland, Oregon.

The De Beers-owned lab-grown diamond brand is partnering with jewelry e-tailer heavyweight Blue Nile on a new collection.
It will be the first time in Blue Nile’s 21-year history it has sold lab-grown diamonds.
“We’ve been watching the lab-grown diamond market for some time,” said Blue Nile CEO Sean Kell in a statement to National Jeweler, noting that both natural and lab-grown diamonds have a place in the market.
“Our belief is natural diamonds will continue to be the product of choice to represent engagement and significant consumer commitments and milestones,” said Kell, adding that lab-grown diamonds, due to their “brilliant colors and accessible price point,” are a perfect fit for fashion jewelry.
RELATED CONTENT: To Sell, Or Not To Sell: That’s the Lab-Grown Question
Parent company De Beers operates under a similar sentiment, reserving natural diamonds for momentous occasions, while promoting Lightbox’s lab-grown diamonds as a fun, cost-effective alternative for self-purchasers or not-quite-milestone occasions.
The collection will feature earrings, pendants, bracelets, and rings, available in 14-karat white and yellow gold with white, pink, and blue lab-grown diamonds.
SEE: The Lightbox x Blue Nile Collection
Available exclusively on Blue Nile’s website, the pieces range in price from $600 to $1,750.
“Since lab-grown diamonds are a rising trend, launching a collection in partnership with the brand that knows lab-grown best, Lightbox, is a natural progression for Blue Nile,” said Kell.
The collaboration follows Blue Nile’s recently announced brick-and-mortar expansion, which includes plans to open 50 new locations in the top 50 metro-area markets in the U.S. over the next three years.
Lightbox is undergoing its own expansion, expanding its wholesale distribution network to 28 additional stores owned by 10 different jewelers, just a year after its initial move into brick-and-mortar stores.
The brand is upping its manufacturing capabilities as well, opening a $94 million lab just outside of Portland, Oregon.
The new, 60,000-square-foot facility will produce 200,000 carats of lab-grown diamonds annually.
“The opening of this facility is a true milestone for the company,” Lightbox CEO Steve Coe said.
“Manufacturing lab-grown diamonds in the U.S. was a goal from the beginning, and we are so proud to have achieved it with this state-of-the-art laboratory in a region that has become a hub for advanced industries.”
Designed by Chicago-based architecture firm Sheehan Nagle Hartray, the white building resembles the facets of a diamond.
The two-story building, featuring a production floor and office space, will hold 60 full-time engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel.
Lightbox will hold a virtual opening of the new facility Thursday to give a closer look into the space.
The Latest

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.


The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.