TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
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
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
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
