CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2016
Blue Nile to open 3 to 4 more stores
CEO Harvey Kanter said the company’s first standalone brick-and-mortar location is “exceeding expectations” and they plan to get additional stores open in the first half of 2016.
Seattle--If all goes as planned, Blue Nile will have as many as four new “webrooms” halfway into 2016, CEO Harvey Kanter revealed Thursday during the company’s third quarter earnings call.
Kanter said the company’s first standalone brick-and-mortar location, which is in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, N.Y., is “exceeding expectations” and the company is moving quickly to get three to four more stores open in the first half of 2016. The locations are yet to be determined.
Opened in June, Blue Nile’s Roosevelt Field store, or “webroom,” is a place where customers can try on--but not buy--jewelry from Blue Nile. All purchasing still happens on the website, though Kanter said most of the transactions are executed in the store. The customers sees a piece they like in the showcase and then buys it on BlueNile.com right there using a mobile device.
This is the opposite of what Blue Nile witnessed when it had showcases in two Nordstrom stores in 2013 and 2014. Most customers there made their purchase after they left the store, he said.
Despite the reported success of Blue Nile’s first standalone brick-and-mortar location, Harvey noted during Thursday’s call that having a physical presence remains a small part of the e-tailer’s business.
“We are excited about the opportunity but we must also remind everyone it’s one location and, while meaningful as a lead indicator, is not yet a material part of our business,” he said.
Blue Nile’s announcement of a continued brick-and-mortar push comes as the e-tailer reported low single-digit sales growth in a jewelry market that is, as described by Kanter, “not particularly robust.”
Total sales grew 4 percent year-over-year in the third quarter, from $105.8 million to $110.0 million. Gross profit totaled $21.2 million, or 19.3 percent of sales, up from 17.8 percent of sales in the third quarter 2014.
U.S. engagement ring sales grew 7 percent, from $60.8 million to $65 million. The bulk of the sales came in the e-tailer’s core price points while sales in the $25,000-and-up category remained weak.
Non-engagement sales also were up 7 percent year-over-year.
International sales increased 3 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis.
Fourth quarter sales are forecast at $158 to $168 million, exceeding the $157.4 million recorded in the fourth quarter 2014, which fell short of company expectations. For the year, Blue Nile said it expects sales to total between $488 and
$498 million, up from the $473.5 million achieved in fiscal year 2014.
Kanter said during Thursday’s call that the company is experimenting with new forms of marketing to generate awareness of its brand.
It’s launched a blog, “Cut & Polish,” and is producing man-on-the-street-type advertorials targeted at millennials as well as using more infographics, video and survey content.
More on Financials
The Latest
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
