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Blue Nile Review

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Jewelry Store Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award Blue Nile Review 5 Star Rating

Blue Nile

5 Star Rating
  • Over 4,000 jewelry pieces to choose from
  • In business for over 20 years
  • "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
  • Free shipping on all orders in the US, including complimentary overnight on orders over $1,000
  • 30-day returns, no charge for return shipping
  • Lifetime manufacturer warranty
  • Complimentary cleaning and inspection on diamond rings
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Blue Nile is a great place to buy jewelry online. In fact, more than two million customers have bought their jewelry from Blue Nile since 1999. This was one of the original online-only jewelry stores that made it possible for shoppers to save money by cutting out the middleman and the overhead associated with brick-and-mortar retail locations.

How much would you like to spend?

Blue Nile has a large selection of jewelry for you to browse, with prices ranging from very affordable to very lavish. What's the most expensive jewelry you can get at Blue Nile? We don't want to spoil it for you (or get your hopes up only to find that it was sold out), but we recommend you search for the "Pear Shaped Ruby and Diamond Ring in White Gold" to see for yourself. If that turns out to be fruitless, you can always click to see "All Jewelry" and then sort the list by price: high to low. Let's just say there's a reason why the most expensive pieces are marked as part of the "Extraordinary Collection" .

The winning store for diamond solitaire stud earrings

Across all of our jewelers, we looked to see what they had to offer in diamond stud earrings, and Blue Nile emerged victorious. Their highest-priced pair also happens to be in the Extraordinary Collection: 2ct.tw. in platinum for $34,000 (and can you believe they have two five-star reviews from customers who've purchased this item?!). For everyone else, Blue Nile takes an approach we love when shopping for diamond studs: you can see easy comparisons of every style, shape and carat weight, from a 1/2 ct.tw. round white gold pair for $176 to princess cuts set in platinum starting at 1/3 ct.tw. for $472 - and so many other combinations of metals, shapes and sizes. You can also choose "build your own" to make a pair that's just right if you don't find it already listed. That feature is available for necklaces as well.

No problem finding jewelry for gift-giving

Using the Gifts dropdown can be another great way to start your shopping at Blue Nile. Whether you want to see options by birthstone, find gifts under $100, or shop by an occasion like graduation or an anniversary, you'll get plenty of inspiration.

Ample information helps you shop

No matter which jewelry item you select, this store gives you lots of details to help you make your purchasing decision. You'll quickly see all the available options, from sizing to metals, and when you scroll down you'll find out when it would ship and the estimated delivery. That's really helpful if you're on a tight schedule and need your jewelry to arrive by a certain time. And, because Blue Nile is so popular, many of their jewelry pieces have a decent number of customer reviews. For instance, when we looked at their most popular bracelets, we found a cute Petite Heart style that had three dozen ratings - and some shoppers even included pictures of how the bracelet looked on them!

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Discounts available

When we visited the Blue Nile website recently, their pop-up offered a discount of up to $50 and an entry into their sweepstakes for a $15,000 shopping spree and more. While the $50 discount turned out to only apply to purchases of $1,000 or more, the email we received also included a $20 discount on a no-minimum order.

Free returns and lifetime warranty coverage on manufacturer defects

Blue Nile offers the industry-standard 30-day return policy. But, they one-up their competition by not deducting any shipping costs from your return - and they'll provide the return label at no cost to you. You'll also get lifetime warranty coverage for any manufacturing defects, and free cleaning and inspections on diamond rings (though you'll have to pay to ship your jewelry to Blue Nile; they'll cover the return trip). It's still a good idea to get extra protection on your higher-end jewelry, and while Blue Nile doesn't offer their own coverage, they do make it easy to connect your purchase with Jewelers Mutual for a shipping insurance quote.

Fantastic reputation

Blue Nile has earned accreditation and an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. Beyond that, the overwhelming majority of customers are very satisfied with their purchase and shopping experience here. While there were some customer issues, that's to be expected with any major online retailer, and Blue Nile addressed those issues promptly

First-place finish

Blue Nile comes in at the top of our list when buying jewelry online. Their online shopping experience is exceptional, and they offer quite a few perks that make them stand out among the competition. Combined with a large inventory of jewelry pieces, and prices among the lowest we've found, Blue Nile really shines. They earn our highest rating for online jewelry stores.

Where's the Best Place to Shop for Jewelry Online?

You might be wondering if you should buy your next piece on the internet. Is it safe? Will I get something that's not good quality? Can I trust buying jewelry online? Rest assured - not only is it safe - it's actually a great idea to buy your jewelry from an online store! In fact, it's one of the most common purchases that shoppers are making, while they transition from brick-and-mortar retailers to digital storefronts.

Why the big increase in popularity? It's for all the reasons you would expect. First, there's no local jeweler who can compete with the inventory of an internet retailer: you'll simply have more options online, and that makes it more likely you'll find exactly what you're looking for. Plus, your neighborhood jewelry store has overhead costs that get passed along to you in higher markups, while an online-only retailer can often give you significant savings. That's a win!

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Jewelry Store FAQ

You can get any jewelry you'd normally buy at a brick-and-mortar store. From watches and bracelets to custom-designed engagement rings, there's no limit to the selection you'll find when shopping online for your next piece of jewelry.
Why not? You've got the convenience of shopping anytime and from anywhere, the world's best inventory, and prices that rival what you'd get locally. Because many online jewelry stores don't have a retail presence, they save money on overhead and pass those savings along to the customer.
Some stores include free shipping - either on all orders or when you spend a minimum amount of money. Your package will likely be insured by the jeweler, so it should arrive just as safely as your other deliveries. (Just watch out for porch pirates!)
You'll usually be covered by a return policy ranging from 30-60 days. Many jewelers include a prepaid return label with your jewelry. Or, if you're buying online from a jeweler that has a location near you, you may be able to return it in-person for added peace of mind.
The sky is the limit. Whether you want an inexpensive pendant or a $20,000 diamond, you'll find it online.
Sometimes. Only a few specifically state that they'll cover lost gemstones within the first year, for example. You might want to consider a separate insurance policy if you're buying a more expensive piece of jewelry.
Yes, depending on the store you select. You'll usually see those options in a link at the bottom of the site, or on the individual product pages for each piece of jewelry you're considering (often near the price details).
Unfortunately, not all online jewelers are created equal. Some do a flawless job of delivering everything they promise and more - but others have left hundreds (if not thousands) of unhappy customers in their wake. But, it's easy to spot the jewelry stores that deserve your business: just look for an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and plenty of positive reviews from shoppers, and you'll know it's a trustworthy option for your jewelry purchase.
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Continued from above...

Another obvious reason is convenience. Do you have time to visit several jewelry stores on your days off from work, driving from one to another in the hopes you'll spot something you love? We don't either. Like every other thing we all shop for online, jewelry is faster and more fun to buy whenever we feel like it, in our jammies at home or on-the-go between errands. Why not?

There are a lot of possibilities for getting jewelry online. Where should you start? Your primary consideration may be whether or not it's important to you to have a physical store nearby: maybe you want to have your fiance's engagement ring shipped there for safekeeping and not to your home (where she might spoil the surprise), or you feel more comfortable buying online with the backup of in-person returns if needed. If those aren't a factor for you, don't hesitate to buy your jewelry from an online-only retailer - as long as the business has an established, positive reputation, of course.

What other criteria can guide your decision as you buy jewelry? Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Selection. The more a jewelry store has, the easier it is to get something amazing. Check first to see if the retailer that interests you has a solid range of options for the type of jewelry you need.
  • Value. Notice we didn't say "price" . That's because you can find really expensive but poorly-made jewelry - as well as affordably-priced pieces that will stun you with their quality and sparkle. When possible, consult shopper ratings of the items you want to buy and see if they hold up over time and wear.
  • Return Policy. What happens if your jewelry arrives and you don't like it? How much time do you have to send it back? Can you bring it back in person? Will you pay return shipping costs if not, and/or any restocking fees?
  • Reputation. This is probably the most important factor. The prettiest pendant or most beautiful bracelet will feel like trash if it starts to turn your skin green or if gemstones fall out within a week or two. It happens, but the best online jewelry stores go to great lengths to choose good-quality pieces - and, more importantly, to take care of their customers no matter what. Have other shoppers said positive or negative things about the retailer you've got in mind? What does the BBB say?

To help you find all of the earrings, watches, bracelets and other jewelry you're looking for, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and rated today's most popular online stores. We're confident that this information will make it fun and easy to add to your collection or choose a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special!

Compare Jewelry Stores

Select any 2 Jewelry Stores to compare them head to head

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  • Blue Nile
  • James Allen
  • Reeds Jewelers
  • Zales
  • JTV
  • Ross-Simons
  • Silpada
  • Helzberg Diamonds
  • Super Jeweler
  • Welry
  • Kay
  • Jared
  • Diamonds USA
  • Szul
  • Jeulia
Blue Nile vs James Allen Blue Nile vs Reeds Jewelers Blue Nile vs Zales Blue Nile vs JTV Blue Nile vs Ross-Simons Blue Nile vs Silpada Blue Nile vs Helzberg Diamonds Blue Nile vs Super Jeweler Blue Nile vs Welry Blue Nile vs Kay Blue Nile vs Jared Blue Nile vs Diamonds USA Blue Nile vs Szul Blue Nile vs Jeulia James Allen vs Reeds Jewelers James Allen vs Zales James Allen vs JTV James Allen vs Ross-Simons James Allen vs Silpada James Allen vs Helzberg Diamonds James Allen vs Super Jeweler James Allen vs Welry James Allen vs Kay James Allen vs Jared James Allen vs Diamonds USA James Allen vs Szul James Allen vs Jeulia Reeds Jewelers vs Zales Reeds Jewelers vs JTV Reeds Jewelers vs Ross-Simons Reeds Jewelers vs Silpada Reeds Jewelers vs Helzberg Diamonds Reeds Jewelers vs Super Jeweler Reeds Jewelers vs Welry Reeds Jewelers vs Kay Reeds Jewelers vs Jared Reeds Jewelers vs Diamonds USA Reeds Jewelers vs Szul Reeds Jewelers vs Jeulia Zales vs JTV Zales vs Ross-Simons Zales vs Silpada Zales vs Helzberg Diamonds Zales vs Super Jeweler Zales vs Welry Zales vs Kay Zales vs Jared Zales vs Diamonds USA Zales vs Szul Zales vs Jeulia JTV vs Ross-Simons JTV vs Silpada JTV vs Helzberg Diamonds JTV vs Super Jeweler JTV vs Welry JTV vs Kay JTV vs Jared JTV vs Diamonds USA JTV vs Szul JTV vs Jeulia Ross-Simons vs Silpada Ross-Simons vs Helzberg Diamonds Ross-Simons vs Super Jeweler Ross-Simons vs Welry Ross-Simons vs Kay Ross-Simons vs Jared Ross-Simons vs Diamonds USA Ross-Simons vs Szul Ross-Simons vs Jeulia Silpada vs Helzberg Diamonds Silpada vs Super Jeweler Silpada vs Welry Silpada vs Kay Silpada vs Jared Silpada vs Diamonds USA Silpada vs Szul Silpada vs Jeulia Helzberg Diamonds vs Super Jeweler Helzberg Diamonds vs Welry Helzberg Diamonds vs Kay Helzberg Diamonds vs Jared Helzberg Diamonds vs Diamonds USA Helzberg Diamonds vs Szul Helzberg Diamonds vs Jeulia Super Jeweler vs Welry Super Jeweler vs Kay Super Jeweler vs Jared Super Jeweler vs Diamonds USA Super Jeweler vs Szul Super Jeweler vs Jeulia Welry vs Kay Welry vs Jared Welry vs Diamonds USA Welry vs Szul Welry vs Jeulia Kay vs Jared Kay vs Diamonds USA Kay vs Szul Kay vs Jeulia Jared vs Diamonds USA Jared vs Szul Jared vs Jeulia Diamonds USA vs Szul Diamonds USA vs Jeulia Szul vs Jeulia
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