Pricing and Features
Blue Nile offers a huge selection of jewelry and diamonds – with over 190,000 loose diamonds on their shelves. There are two different components to buying high end jewelry online. First is choosing the setting, which is the metal part of the jewelry, whether it is a ring, earring, or pendant. You will find different metal choices like 14k and 18k yellow, white, and rose gold, and platinum.
4th Place9.3 out of 10The second is the diamond or gemstone you put in the setting. Regarding diamonds, there is a whole array of criteria for the stone, primarily on the four Cs- color, carat, clarity, and cut. While there are other factors in play, the price of the stone- and ultimately the whole piece- largely depends on these four. Blue Nile’s prices go as low as a couple of hundred dollars for a ¼ carat stone, to millions for a 23 carat solid rock.
Under their diamond category, you will find several shapes to choose from, like round, princess, emerald, asscher, cushion, radiant, pear, oval, marquise, and heart. You won’t be able to see the photos from their list, you can only see specific technical descriptions like cut, color, clarity, and carat. They do have a compare tool which lets you see the chosen pieces side by side, or filter them via the quality and price.
Lowest Prices Guaranteed
To ensure customers that their prices are the lowest among the competition, Blue Nile offers a price match guarantee. If you can find another store carrying the same item with a lower price, Blue Nile will match that price, no questions asked. The company does not operate on commissions, so you can expect their reps to be more transparent in closing transactions, since they are not just after their piece of the cake.
Company Reputation
Since 1999, Blue Nile has been a trusted source of diamonds through online purchases. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ and employs over 300 employees, with the count still rising. Although originally created to be an online store, they have now expanded their reach with several showrooms all over the US, with their flagship store located in Long Island. CEO Harvey Kanter stated that they are planning to open as much as 25 to 50 brick-and-mortar stores, a solid proof of the company’s growth and reputation when it comes to diamond retailing.
Pre-Made and Designer’s Collection
If you want to choose from a pre-made set of jewelry, you can view Blue Nile’s catalogue of engagement and wedding rings, and other jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. You can also search for pieces recently purchased by other customers, designer pieces, and crowd favorites. They also carry designer jewelry from Colin Cowie, Monique Lhuillier, Zac Posen, and others.
Shipping Details
Blue Nile uses FedEx to ship out orders for US locations. For international orders, they carry out the delivery via an insured and trusted carrier, at no additional expense. You can check the status of your package in their website, while a shipping confirmation will be sent to your email for shipped orders. For orders over $1,000, they will not send out a tracking number, but the package will be traceable via their email updates, and will require a signature for delivery regardless of any waiver presented.
Mix and Match
If you have a design in mind, you can select the technical details for the diamond and setting, and then choose the right size. Set filters so you can find the right diamond at the right price for you. Choose the shape among the 10 options, then the cut quality, colors, price range, carat size and clarity. Once you have set your preferences, Blue Nile will automatically give you a list of all those that match them so you can pick the right one for you. Then you are given a wide selection of rings, necklaces and earring studs to where you would like to have your diamond mounted on.
Blue Nile Education
A wise buyer is an informed buyer, and with Blue Nile’s education center, you can find resources that will guide you in making the right choice when it comes to jewelry. From what to look for in diamonds to finding the right ring size, this can be your manual before placing a final order and committing to a big purchase.
Diamonds are Forever
Blue Nile guarantees the quality of their pieces, and offers a lifetime warranty on all their products. If there is a manufacturing defect in your item, you can return it to their facility for a full inspection. If it is established that the item was damaged due to manufacturing defect, they will repair the jewelry, or replace it altogether. If the damage is due to other reasons, they will notify you and provide options for repair, complete with the costs. It is rare to find companies offering a lifetime warranty, but with Blue Nile you are in good hands in this regards.
Customer Service
If you ever need assistance in buying, or would simply like to know more about a certain item, you can reach out to Blue Nile’s customer representatives via live chat, phone call, or email. They are ready 24/7 for any queries and concerns. You can also take a look at their FAQ section for important factoids before placing an order. You can also connect with them via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest offers and announcements.
What's the Verdict on Blue Nile?
Blue Nile Review 2020 – Conclusion
Blue Nile still stands strong as the leading online diamond store, with a huge selection to choose from. Prices vary extensively depending mostly on the quality of the diamond, but they have highly affordable options if you are on a tight budget. Their products are obtained only from accredited sources and while their diamond catalog doesn’t show pictures, all the diamonds are GIA certified so the description and technical details will be fully representative. If you are looking for a reputable diamond retailer, then Blue Nile is a great choice.
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