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Diamond Sales Struggle but Blue Nile Survives

Filed under: Jewelry


Although brick-and-mortar diamond retailers are hurting these days online vendors are staying afloat. Stores such as Finlay's, Shane Co, Whitehall and Fortunoff have closed their doors as diamond sales have frozen in the stale economy. Blue Nile, however, has managed to keep consumers' interest with over 60,000 diamonds and hundreds of settings. Their internet approach educates potential buyers without the pressure of a salesperson. Plus, Blue Nile keeps their inventory costs low, which they pass along to customers, by only purchasing diamonds once the consumer has made their order. That means a 20-40% reduction in price over other retailers. Incredibly, Blue Nile has even competed with Tiffany's engagement ring sales. It just goes to show, sometimes the better deal is more important than that little blue box.

Below is a gallery of some of the world's most expensive engagement rings for your viewing pleasure.

Zales To Close 115 Stores

Filed under: Jewelry

zalesBig jewelry chains are struggling. We've seen Fortunoff head for liquidation and now Zale Corp. has announced that it will close 115 under-performing stores after posting a net loss for its fiscal second quarter. It had a loss of $23.5 million down from a profit of $60.8 million for the same time period last year. Sales were down 17.9 percent from a year ago. Zales plans to cut $175 million from its budget through cost and inventory reductions and is eliminating 245 jobs. Zales has been suffering in an economy that is being particularly unkind to jewelry sales. Also in order to attract buyers, Zales cut prices and the discounts led to a drop in gross margin.

Zale's Offers The Celebration Diamond

Filed under: Jewelry


It's not an easy time for Zale's, the ubiquitous jewelry seller. Jewelry sales are down across board, Zale's is part of the widely circulated e-mail cautioning gift card shoppers, and with a bleak holiday season ahead they have created a couple of new offerings to tempt shoppers.

Zales has also introduced new pendants and charms to show support for the troops including a sterling silver engraved dog tag with the option of 1-3 initials featured on the front face of the tag, a round charm offered in both 14K gold and sterling silver with a choice of service emblem and a sterling silver military cross pendant, again with the choice of branch.

Their big advertising effort is focused on the Celebration Diamond, a new patented diamond cut that features 102 facets. Celebration Diamonds are available in round and princess cuts and each is set in an 18 karat white gold cathedral mounting with platinum prongs and "Celebration" inscribed inside the ring. The complete line includes engagement rings, solitaire earrings, and necklaces with prices from from $1,499 to $44,995. The holiday season is often a popular time for engagements and Zale's is hoping the economy won't scare off the would-be betrothed.

[via Rapaport]


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