Blue Nile Review: One Of The Biggest Online Jewelry Retailers In The US And Canada

May 13, 2023
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Blue Nile is an online jewellery retailer founded in 1999 in Seattle, Washington, by Mark Vadon and Vijay Talwar. The company has been a subsidiary of Bain Capital since 2017 and sells high-quality diamonds and other fine jewellery at competitive prices, with a focus on customer service and satisfaction. Blue Nile offers a variety of features and benefits to its customers, such as free shipping, secure payment, comprehensive warranty, virtual gemologist tool, and third-party certification of diamonds. However, Blue Nile has some drawbacks, such as a limited selection of rose and yellow gold jewellery and a need for a mobile app.

Blue Nile has an impressive selection of engagement rings, wedding bands, and other jewelry pieces in different styles. Shopping is made easy with side-by-side comparisons and free shipping & returns. Plus, you can access educational resources and 24/7 customer service to find your ideal item confidently. We recommend Blue Nile thanks to its superior quality diamonds, certified by GIA; build your own ring services; secure payment options; and satisfaction warranty.

If you're looking for diamond jewellery online, you might have come across Blue Nile, the world's leading online diamond jeweller. But is Blue Nile a good place to buy your engagement ring, wedding band, or gift for someone special? In this blog post, we'll give you an honest and unbiased Blue Nile review, covering everything from their products, prices, customer service, warranty, and more. We'll also compare them to other online jewellery retailers and tell you what makes them stand out. By the end of this post, you'll have a clear idea of whether Blue Nile is the right choice for you.

What Is Blue Nile?

Blue Nile is an online jewelry retailer founded in 1999 by Mark Vadon and Vijay Talwar. As one of the largest online diamond and fine jewelry retailers, Blue Nile provides customers with a wide selection of high-quality diamonds, engagement rings, wedding rings, fine jewelry and loose stones. They offer an expansive selection of designer styles and timeless classics crafted by some of the world's most skilled artisans. They also source their gems exclusively from certified suppliers that meet their exacting standards for quality assurance.

Blue Nile gives customers the tools to make informed decisions when selecting a diamond or jewelry that reflects their style and personality. By offering access to various educational articles, videos and charts about diamonds, customers can easily compare diamonds side-by-side to determine which combination best suits them within any budget. Blue Nile also offers virtual ring sizers and downloadable pdfs for anyone who wants to measure their ring size at home.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices in New York City and London, Blue Nile has become one of the world's leading online destinations for purchasing timeless pieces at competitive prices without compromising quality.

Blue Nile partners with hundreds of independent jewelry stores nationwide so customers can preview their purchases before buying them online or visiting a local shop. One of Blue Nile's top features is its ability to customize jewelry pieces for customers. They also offer a free 90-day returns policy for all products bought online.

Features Of Blue Nile

Moving on, let's take a look at some of the features Blue Nile has to offer.

#1 A Wide Selection Of Jewelry

Blue Nile offers various engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces in multiple styles. They source only top-quality diamonds independently certified to meet their strict standards. They also offer a wide array of designer collections featuring unique designs from some of the most sought-after names in jewelry. With so many options available, you are sure to find something perfect for any occasion or budget.

Blue Nile Review: One Of The Biggest Online Jewelry Retailers In The US And Canada

This feature is important because it allows you to find what they're looking for without searching through hundreds of different retailers. It also guarantees that you get quality jewelry at an affordable price. By sourcing only high-quality diamonds and offering designer collections, Blue Nile ensures their customers get the best value for their money.

#2 Easy Shopping Experience

Blue Nile offers customers an easy shopping experience with features that streamline the process. With the ability to browse through thousands of products and compare them side-by-side, you can find what they're looking for without feeling overwhelmed. It also has an advanced search feature that lets shoppers narrow their search results quickly and easily. Furthermore, Blue Nile provides tools such as virtual ring sizing guides and diamond comparison charts so you can easily make better purchasing decisions.

Blue Nile Review: One Of The Biggest Online Jewelry Retailers In The US And Canada

The easy shopping experience that Blue Nile provides is invaluable for customers who are new to jewelry shopping or don't have much time. It allows them to quickly find what they need without jumping from store to store or website searching for the perfect item. Additionally, it gives you peace of mind when shopping.

#3 Free Shipping & Returns

Blue Nile offers free shipping and returns, making it easier for customers to get the jewelry they want without spending only what the piece is worth. If the product doesn't meet your expectations, you can return it for free.

This feature is invaluable for customers because it allows them to explore different options before purchasing. It also makes shopping online more convenient since there's no need to worry about paying extra fees or waiting on shipments from other stores. Additionally, this feature ensures that you get top-notch customer support, as any issues or problems can be quickly addressed without additional costs. Overall, Blue Nile's free shipping and returns policy greatly benefits you by ensuring an easy and stress-free shopping experience.

#4 Education Resources

Besides great products, Blue Nile also offers a comprehensive range of educational resources, from diamond and gemstone tutorials to expert advice from their professional Gemologists. This feature is essential because it allows customers to make informed decisions about their purchase, giving them the confidence to invest in diamonds and gemstones that will last a lifetime.

Blue Nile Review: One Of The Biggest Online Jewelry Retailers In The US And Canada

As a customer, you can access expert knowledge about diamonds, gemstones and jewelry care. You can also use Blue Nile's online tools, such as the Diamond Education Center, to search for the perfect diamond or gemstone that meets your criteria. By providing customers with these resources, they can maximize value when purchasing an engagement ring or other jewelry piece from Blue Nile.

#5 24/7 Customer Service

Blue Nile provides customers with 24/7 customer service. This feature is essential because it allows customers to get answers to their questions or concerns at any time of day. For instance, you can call Blue Nile any time and receive assistance from an expert team member if you need help along any step of your shopping experience. The 24/7 customer service also makes returns and exchanges more convenient for customers since they can get help quickly, as mentioned earlier.

Blue Nile Review: One Of The Biggest Online Jewelry Retailers In The US And Canada

As a customer, you don't have to worry about waiting in long lines or having your questions unanswered due to store hours. Instead, you can trust that Blue Nile will be there to answer them whenever you need help. Additionally, Blue Nile representatives are knowledgeable and friendly, which helps provide a pleasant experience for customers beyond just the availability of the customer service department.

#6 Certified Diamonds

Blue Nile stands apart from other online jewellery retailers because it only offers diamonds with certification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). GIA is the world's most respected grading laboratory. Its certificates ensure that these diamonds have been independently graded on strict criteria. As a result, Blue Nile customers can be confident that they are receiving a diamond of the highest quality.

Blue Nile Review: One Of The Biggest Online Jewelry Retailers In The US And Canada

Knowing that each diamond comes with a GIA certificate allows you to shop confidently, as you can trust what you're seeing is truly reflective of the diamond's value and quality. Furthermore, if any discrepancies arise later down the line, customers can refer back to their certificate for clarity on any issues.

#7 Build Your Own Ring And Build Your Own Earrings Services

Blue Nile offers a comprehensive design service for customers looking to create the perfect piece of jewelry. Customers can choose from an extensive selection of diamonds and gemstones, then consult with Blue Nile's team of experts to craft a custom piece that's as unique as the recipient.

Blue Nile Review: One Of The Biggest Online Jewelry Retailers In The US And Canada

The design service allows customers to be involved in every step of the process—from choosing the perfect stone to selecting a setting and taking advantage of their free resizing services afterward. This feature makes it easy for customers to create something unique that captures the essence of their relationship. Additionally, this feature ensures that customers get what they want, guaranteeing satisfaction.

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Pros Of Blue Nile

  • Vast variety of high-quality jewelry at competitive prices.
  • 24/7 customer service.
  • A comprehensive warranty on all purchases to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Secure online payment options. All online orders placed at Blue Nile are shipped securely using signature-required delivery methods, ensuring that your purchase arrives safely and quickly every time.
  • Free shipping on all orders, making it more accessible and affordable to shop with them than other retailers.
  • An easy-to-navigate website with clear product descriptions, attractive photos, and helpful customer reviews.
  • The free virtual gemologist tool helps you find your desired gemstone size, shape, cut, clarity grade, colour grade and price range before visiting a physical location or ordering online.
  • Ethically sourced diamonds accompanied by a third-party certification identifying where they were mined, cut, polished and certified.

Cons Of Blue Nile

  • Blue Nile has a limited rose and yellow gold selection. This is a problem for customers looking for something more unique.
  • You cannot see the actual diamond you are buying, only a generic image or video, which may not reflect the true quality or appearance of the stone.
  • You may not be able to access their mobile app, which is not clearly available on their website, causing confusion or inconvenience.

Blue Nile Pricing

  • The most popular option from Blue Nile is the Rounds and Princess cuts in 14K white gold bands. These pieces range from $1,500 – $2,800, depending on the size and quality of the chosen stone.
  • Custom-made items such as matching sets for couples or custom engagement rings designed to suit individual tastes range between $3,000 – $5,500 or higher depending on upgrades chosen by customers during the design process.
  • Compared to competitors such as James Allen or Brilliant Earth, Blue Nile's pricing is generally lower than either of those retailers. However, their selection may be slightly less diverse than those other services offer in terms of diamonds or gemstones available for their custom designs.

Blue Nile’s Financing Options

Blue Nile offers the option to finance your purchase, allowing you to buy jewelry without depositing the lump sum upfront. The following table analyzes the company's financing program.

OptionAPRLength of Promotional PeriodEligible PurchasesDeferred InterestMinimum Purchase Amount
No interest plan29.99%6 months$500-$1,499YesN/A
No interest plan29.99%12 months$1,500 and overYesN/A
No interest plan29.99%18 months$2,000 and overYesN/A
Equal payment plan9.99%24 monthsN/ANo$2,000-$2,999
Equal payment plan9.99%36 monthsN/ANo$3,000-$3,999
Equal payment plan9.99%48 monthsN/ANo$4,000 and over

In Summary

Blue Nile is an excellent choice for anyone looking to purchase quality jewelry at a great price. With its wide selection, easy shopping experience, free shipping and returns, educational resources, 24/7 customer service, certified diamonds, and build-your-own-ring service, you can rest assured you'll receive a good piece and great service.

Blue Nile's diamond educational resources and virtual gemologist tools make it easy to find the perfect piece. This makes it an ideal choice for someone looking for an engagement ring or a special gift for a loved one.

Blue Nile FAQs

Is Blue Nile worth it?

Yes. Blue Nile may be worth considering if you are looking for quality pieces at a reasonable price. The company is a well-known online jewelry retailer that offers high-quality diamonds, gemstones, and other jewelry at competitive prices. Whether or not it is worth it depends on your preferences and budget.

Is Blue Nile reputable for purchasing diamonds?

Yes, Blue Nile is a reputable company for purchasing diamonds. The company has been around for over 20 years. They have very high customer ratings and work with other reputable third-party accreditation bodies such as GIA, AGS, and IGI.

Does Blue Nile sell real diamonds?

Yes, Blue Nile sells real, natural diamonds. All of the diamonds sold on Blue Nile are certified and conflict-free.

Is Blue Nile luxury?

No, Blue Nile isn't considered a luxury brand. Blue Nile offers various price points and styles, ranging from budget-friendly pieces to fine jewelry that is somewhat more expensive.

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