Third quarter web sales sparkle for Blue Nile

Online jeweler Blue Nile is reporting third quarter web sales of $42 million, up 23.9% from the third quarter of 2004 when sales reached $33.9 million.

For the third quarter, Blue Nile, No. 48 in the Top 400 Guide to Retail Web Sites, is also reporting that net income increased 49.1% to $2.5 million from $1.7 million in Q3 2004.

"Our results demonstrate the appeal of the Blue Nile brand, the strength and potential of our business model,” says CEO Mark Vadon.

For 2005, Blue Nile expects sales to be between $205 million and $212 million. "We look forward to the upcoming holiday season in which we expect to achieve record sales levels,” Vadon says.