SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
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
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
