Everything You Need to Know About Blue Nile

Loverly Team · March 21, 2024 · 8 min read

Everything You Need to Know About Blue Nile

Maybe you're preparing to pop the question to your significant other. Or perhaps you already did and are now on the hunt for matching wedding rings. Whatever the case may be, the importance of that special moment can put a lot of pressure on anyone.

Finding the perfect ring can feel impossible, just like looking for the right wedding gown or suit. There are so many options available, so many brands vying for your attention, and key factors, such as budget and personal preferences, to keep in mind.

Out of all the jewelers we've come across, Blue Nile stands out as a brand that recognizes these specific challenges and has managed to address them all. Take a look at why this remarkable company might just be the perfect one for you.

Get to know blue nile

Blue Nile, established in 1999, revolutionized the diamond industry by introducing an innovative online model that emphasizes high-quality, value-oriented diamonds and engagement rings. They prioritize customer choice, transparent information, and exceptional service, even to the extent of their experts forming personal bonds with customers.

Plus, Blue Nile offers savings by eliminating middlemen, secures quality through rigorous checks, and provides comprehensive diamond education and advice. They also ensure the sustainability of their diamonds by adhering to the standards established by the Kimberley Process, an international system that tracks and certifies diamonds to make sure they were acquired through legitimate channels.

Currently, they have over 297,000 ethically sourced, 100% conflict-free diamonds, each one with a grading report from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

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What makes blue nile so special

A catalog of exceptional jewelry is not enough to stand out in the industry, which is why Blue Nile also strives to make the shopping experience as easy as possible.

Blue Nile offers a range of services designed to enhance the customer experience, including custom jewelry design, a comprehensive diamond upgrade program, and professional jewelry repair and maintenance.

Moreover, they provide detailed educational resources to assist in making informed purchases, along with a commitment to customer satisfaction through free shipping, hassle-free returns, and a diamond price match guarantee. 

If you can find a diamond with similar quality at a lower price, you can ask Blue Nile to match or beat its price.

Styles we're loving

Blue Nile offers a vast collection of diamonds, engagement rings, wedding rings, and gemstones handcrafted in New York. If you're looking for the perfect ring, it can be easy to get lost in the sea of selections, so we've handpicked a few categories that should fit most states.

Astor diamonds

Astor by Blue Nile diamonds represent the pinnacle of cut and brilliance. They are curated for exceptional sparkle and crafted to achieve optimal light performance. The Astor Ideal cut signifies a diamond that meets stringent symmetry, proportions, and polish criteria, ensuring maximum brilliance and fire.

Plus, you can ensure that these diamonds are the cream of the crop. Each rare diamond is graded by GIA for quality and GemEx to ensure its sparkle.

After you find the Astor diamond you love, you can pair it with an engagement or wedding ring set that matches the aesthetic you strive for. Our top pick for the best polish, symmetry, and fluorescence is the 1.02 Carat I-VS2 Astor Cut Round Diamond, which you can pair with the Classic Six-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring setting in 14k white gold.

Classic Six-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring In 14k White Gold

Blue Nile · $600

Classic Six-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring In 14k White Gold

This 14k white gold, six-prong solitaire is the ultimate classic engagement ring style. Crafted to showcase your choice of diamond, six slim prongs secure and support the center stone. The slender silhouette and polished finish of this solitaire exemplify timeless design, proving simple can be truly stunning.

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Bella vaughan wedding rings

Bella Vaughan is a designer featured on Blue Nile, known for creating luxurious and sophisticated wedding rings. Their designs often combine exceptional craftsmanship with intricate details, offering numerous styles that embody elegance and timeless beauty.

For a more eye-catching, diamond-encrusted ring, we recommend the Bella Vaughan Openwork Diamond Eternity Ring in 18k white gold. If you want a more subtle yet elegant look, go for the Bella Vaughan Asscher Diamond Wedding Ring in 18k yellow gold or platinum.

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Vintage engagement rings

Vintage engagement rings from Blue Nile blend timeless elegance with unique designs that hark back to romantic past eras, such as Art Deco and mid‑century. 

These rings are characterized by intricate details, such as milgrain, filigree work, and art deco-inspired elements, offering a distinct aesthetic that captures the essence of bygone eras. Their bestsellers include the Riviera Pavé Diamond Eternity Ring and the Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring, both in 14k white gold.

For those drawn to the charm and character of vintage jewelry, Blue Nile's collection provides a variety of styles to suit different tastes. If you want a diamond that matches the style of the era, consider emerald, marquise, pear, or oval.

Riviera Pavé Diamond Eternity Ring In Platinum (1/2 ct. tw.)

Blue Nile · $1840

Riviera Pavé Diamond Eternity Ring In Platinum (1/2 ct. tw.)

Elegant and sparkling, this petite diamond ring features round pave-set diamonds around the entire design of the platinum eternity ring.

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Finding the perfect ring

Finding the right ring can be a challenge, especially if you're shopping online. There are so many diamonds and settings to choose from that you can't see in person unless you visit a store. Additionally, there's the hurdle of selecting the perfect ring size.

Blue Nile offers numerous guides and resources on their website to help couples find the best engagement and wedding rings. You can peruse their jewelry guides to learn more about settings, diamonds, and metals, which are incredibly useful if you don't know where to start but want to create your own engagement ring.

More importantly, Blue Nile can send you a free ring sizer in the mail so you can determine your exact ring size. Alternatively, you can download their printable ring size and chart guide for free. This guide will let you compare the size of an existing ring, which is perfect for people who want to keep the ring a secret from the soon‑to‑be wearer.

If you still need more guidance but can't visit in person, don't worry. Blue Nile offers virtual consultations with a jeweler in a virtual showroom, allowing for an interactive experience and close-up views of the actual rings.

Beyond the rings

In addition to engagement and wedding rings, Blue Nile offers earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that can complete a wedding jewelry set—or just something nice to give to your partner.

Not feeling up to wearing diamonds? Blue Nile also has a wide selection of birthstone, pearl, and rose gold jewelry for both special occasions and everyday wear. There is also a separate guide for gift jewelry during anniversaries, graduations, and wedding parties.

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Decoding the price tags

Jewelry is expensive, so it's important to know the cost of your ring before you commit to a consultation.

Unlike most online jewelers, Blue Nile displays all their prices on their website for full transparency. You can use their Diamond Finder to find a stone that best fits your budget.

Blue Nile's diamonds range from $2,550 for 1.00 carat to $684,000 for 8.56 carat. If you're looking for something moderately priced, a 1.00-carat excellent cut round diamond costs about $5,100.

Engagement ring settings start at $420 for classic and simple styles, while the more elaborate designs go up to $10,000 to $15,000. Wedding ring prices begin at $168 for plain, classic bands. Bands with diamonds cost around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the design.

Where to shop

You can shop Blue Nile jewelry online and receive free secure shipping in the US. Orders above $500 are eligible for overnight shipping. However, it's best to place your order at least 3 to 4 months before your event to make sure the piece you want is still in stock.

If you're located outside of the US, you can still receive your order. Blue Nile offers Build Your Own Jewelry and their loose diamond collection to many other countries around the world.

For a more personalized customer experience and an up-close look at the jewelry you want to buy, we recommend visiting one of Blue Nile's showrooms. Currently, they have 17 showrooms in major locations, including Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, and Newport Beach.

You can also visit their showroom for jewelry maintenance of rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other pieces that need expert care. 

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