AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
TechnologyAug 09, 2016
Blue Nile to Open A Fifth Store This Year
The online jewelry retailer continues to sink money into “webrooms” with a fifth planned for later this year, even as sales continue to underwhelm.
A shot inside one of Blue Nile’s four “webrooms,” this one located in The Westchester mall in White Plains, N.Y. The company said Monday that it now plans to open a fifth physical location by year’s end.
Seattle--Blue Nile continues to sink money into “webrooms” with a fifth planned for later this year, even as sales continue to underwhelm.
During its second quarter earnings call Monday evening, President and CEO Harvey Kanter said Blue Nile has “accelerated” the launch of its fifth physical location, which will “hopefully” open by Thanksgiving.
He did not provide any details on its location.
This fifth physical space joins Blue Nile stores in New York state (White Plains and Garden City, both New York City suburbs), Fairfax County, Va. and a not-yet-open webroom in Portland, Ore.
Blue Nile’s physical locations are 500 to 700 square feet in size, employ five to six salespeople plus a general manager, and provide a place where customers can try on engagement rings and other jewelry. All sales still happen online though; shoppers do not walk out of the webrooms with their purchases.
“It’s becoming clear that a segment of our customers want our easy, educational and pressure-free experience in a physical environment,” Kanter said on Monday’s call. “We are bringing the online and offline worlds together.”
He said the company has seen a “marked lift” in sales in a “pretty contained” area around its webroom in Garden City, N.Y., which is located in the Roosevelt Field mall.
Regarding the physical locations in Virginia and White Plains, N.Y., Kanter said one is performing better than the other but did not specify which one.
Investment in more webrooms is part of an overall effort by Blue Nile to “improve the user experience” and help boost sales, which were essentially flat in the second quarter.
Net sales in the second quarter ended July 3 totaled $113.8 million, compared with $113.7 million in the same period last year. Net income dropped 9 percent to $2.1 million, compared with $2.3 million last year.
U.S. engagement ring net sales decreased 4 percent to $62.6 million, and Blue Nile executives said that the online retailer had a particularly difficult June. Sales of engagement rings priced at $25,000 and above improved as compared with previous quarters but still are lagging overall.
U.S. non-engagement net sales (which encompasses everything else the site sells) were up 6 percent to $30.4 million, led by wedding band sales.
International sales were up 6 percent (9 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis), from $19.5 million to $20.8 million.
Commenting on the results during Monday’s call, Kanter said, “We had some meaningful wins but I will acknowledge upfront that
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
these results are short of what we expected.”
In addition to continuing to invest in webrooms, Blue Nile is making enhancements to its website that are designed to emulate the experience customers have in its physical locations.
Executives did not elaborate on these enhancement but said they expect them to be complete by the fourth quarter.
In addition to continuing to invest in webrooms, Blue Nile is making enhancements to its website that are designed to emulate the experience customers have in its physical locations.
Executives did not elaborate on these enhancement but said they expect them to be complete by the fourth quarter.
More on Technology
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
