Are you curious about buying jewelry from Blue Nile? Here’s my in-store experience.
Admittedly, I intended to write a completely different article. When Blue Nile reached out and provided samples for The Modest Man to review, I had a plan. I wanted to write a guide about lab created diamonds versus earth mined, genuine diamonds. And, I still intend to.
However, I would be remiss to not write about my Blue Nile in-store experience. And what a wonderful experience it was. So much so that I felt compelled to go home and write this article.
I am no stranger to Blue Nile. In fact, when I was dreaming of my wedding ring back in 2006, I used the company’s design your own ring feature more times than I can count. Again, when I looked to upgrade my ring in 2020, Blue Nile was an instrumental resource in determining what style I was really looking for.
The reality is that you can purchase diamonds and fine jewelry just about anywhere. But, my in-store experience made me a Blue Nile customer for life.
Have I piqued your interest? Before we dive into my time in the Blue Nile showroom, allow me to provide a little background about the brand.
What is Blue Nile?
Simply put, Blue Nile is an online jewelry store founded in 1999 by Mark Vadon. After a frustrating engagement shopping experience, Vadon felt compelled to offer a smarter, more efficient way to purchase a diamond. He acquired Internet Diamonds and renamed the company Blue Nile.
Vadon’s vision, and the company’s mission, is to offer “consumers high quality products at compelling values through an empowering shopping experience.”
After all, there is so much to learn about diamonds and how to buy an engagement ring. It’s easy to get lost in the specifics of diamond ratings and the 4 C’s.
In 2020, Blue Nile slightly shifted away from its entirely online shopping business model. The company opened “showrooms” in three states — California, Colorado, and Illinois. Today, Blue Nile has 23 showrooms in 15 states.
My Personal Blue Nile Experience: The Best Customer Service Bar None
To prepare for my lab versus mined diamond article, I came up with questions. There was no better place to ask than the experts at the Blue Nile showroom. While I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable about natural diamonds, my lab-created diamond mental file is non-existent.
First Impression
When I walked into the store I was warmly greeted by an associate. I let her know that I had questions about lab-created diamonds and she introduced me to Paul, the store manager.
Even though he knew I only had questions and no intention of purchasing anything, he took his time with me. He explained the process, answered all my questions, we even shared a few stories. It felt like I was chatting with an old friend.
And, isn’t that what you want when you are purchasing something for the important moments in your life? Or, if you are splurging on something special for yourself? A friend who educates and guides you to ensure you are 100% confident in your investment.
Taking the Time To Educate
At no point did I feel like he was rushing me to get to the next customer or trying to sell me anything. In fact, he reminded me of my dad.
My dad was much more interested in ensuring his customers had the best experience. It didn’t matter if they purchased something or not. He always said that if you provide a good customer service experience, people will always come back.
I spent about 40 minutes or so chatting with Paul. He let me compare the sample Blue Nile sent me with diamonds in the store and take pictures. He even sent me home with a jewelry cleaning kit. Side Note: The Blue Nile jewelry cleaning kit is the best one I’ve ever used!
At the end of my visit, he wished me well and hoped I would come back in again. And the truth is, I will.
I was sold on Blue Nile solely on the customer service aspect.
What to Expect From Your Shopping Experience
Aside from the knowledge I gained about lab versus mined diamonds, one of my biggest takeaways was that Blue Nile stores are showrooms. You can’t actually buy what they have on display.
If you’re in a pinch, they do have a few lab created diamond pieces you can take home. This is great if you need a gift in a pinch or tend to be a last-minute holiday shopper.
However, the brick and mortar stores are a valuable source of information if you’re looking to buy something. You can try on any of the settings in store for sizing or do your research about diamond shapes, size, color and clarity.
The employees in-store serve as your ambassadors throughout your jewelry purchase. They do not work on commission, so you can shop knowing that they aren’t there to make a dime off your purchase. They truly want to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your purchase and that you make an educated decision.
After you make your decision one of the Blue Nile associates can help you place your order.
When I placed my online order with Blue Nile, my items came incredibly fast in about two days. However, one of the items was incorrect. The return process was simple. They sent me a free return label and the next day my correct item was on my doorstep.
Whether you’re spending $300 or $30,000, Blue Nile associates ensure you have a top-notch experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Nile
If you’re about to spend your hard-earned money on something costly, it’s natural to have questions. Here are some of the most common questions surrounding Blue Nile.
Is Blue Nile Legit?
Yes, Blue Nile is a legitimate company. Not only is the company over 25 years old with over 2 million customers, but they are backed by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
Is Blue Nile Good?
Yes, Blue Nile is a good company that provides exceptional products and customer service. Whether you’re looking to educate yourself on the intricacies of diamonds and jewelry or making a purchase, Blue Nile can help out.
Are Blue Nile Diamonds Real?
Yes, Blue Nile diamonds are real with GIA certifications. Blue Nile offers both lab-created and genuine mined diamonds as well as other fine gemstones.
Are Blue Nile Diamonds Ethical?
Yes. Not only are Blue Nile diamonds ethically sourced, they are also committed to sustainable practices.
Blue Nile Offers A First-Rate Experience
If you’re in the market for jewelry, you simply can’t go wrong with Blue Nile. Both my in-store and online experiences were some of the best I’ve had in retail, period.
You’ll feel great knowing that the company’s diamonds and gemstones are ethically and sustainably sourced. Additionally, each step of the process was so easy.
I can recommend Blue Nile to anyone looking to purchase quality, ethically-made jewelry.
Leave your questions and comments below!
