Blue
Nile
Online retailer of
diamonds and jewelry.
Headquarters:
705 Fifth Ave, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98104
Employees: 161
CEO: Mark Vadon
Stock Symbol: NILE
Website:
http://www.bluenile.com
Career
Site
Founded in 1999, Blue Nile has grown to become the largest
online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry. Internet
Retailer Magazine reports Blue Nile is bigger than the
next three largest online jewelers combined.
Blue Nile has established some of the highest
quality standards in the industry and provides consumers with
in-depth educational materials and online tools that place consumers
in control of the jewelry shopping process. The Blue Nile Web
sites showcase thousands of independently certified diamonds
and fine jewelry at prices significantly below traditional retail.
The company offers thousands of certified
diamonds which can be used to create diamond engagement rings,
earrings, and pendants. Every loose diamond sold by Blue Nile
has been analyzed and graded by either the Gemological Institute
of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL).
Blue Nile offers free FedEx overnight delivery
for orders and free appraisals for diamonds worth more than $1,000.
In addition to the U.S., Blue Nile operates sites for the U.K.
and Canada.
In fiscal 2006, revenue was $251.6 million,
up from $128.9 million the previous year. Net income was $13.0
million.
History
The business was incorporated in Delaware
on March 18, 1999 as RockShop.com, Inc.
On May 21, 1999, the Company purchased
certain assets of Williams & Son, Inc., a Seattle jeweler,
including a website
established by that business. In June 1999, the company changed
its name to Internet Diamonds, Inc.
In November 1999, the Blue Nile brand was
launched and the company's name was changed to Blue Nile, Inc.
The company went public in 2004.
Updated December 1, 2007
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