It's
especially true in the South, where 58 percent say it's important,
compared to 50 percent of those living in other regions.S.cahttp://www.

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.. "Our
commitment to consumer education, award-winning customer service and quality,
along with the value we provide, has made Blue Nile one of the largest sellers
of high-quality diamond engagement rings in the U.m.

*Survey Methodology
Harris Interactive(R) fielded the study on behalf of Blue Nile, Inc. Sampling error for the various
sub-samples are higher and vary.com), and through an
independent global network of affiliate market research companies.edu or
visit http://www.

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Even a diamond with perfect color
and clarity , but a poor cut, will appear dull.

For Valentine's Day, all Blue Nile orders are shipped absolutely free.
Studying on campus at GIA's beautiful new Los Angeles branch offers the
perfect opportunity to gain the education needed to succeed in the jewelry
industry. And I'm not the only one," he
said.G.

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Valentine's Day Study Shows Romance Is Thriving; Men Younger Adults More Likely to Adhere to Proposal Traditions

com have thorough education sections.novatris. "I
wanted to learn directly from the experts. designation at the end of your name, it
reassures them that your education is backed by the most trusted nonprofit gem
and jewelry authority in the world."
To enroll in the Institute's Los Angeles G.

About GIA: An independent nonprofit organization , the Gemological
Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in
gemology .

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"Traditions such as proposing
on bended knee and the man choosing the engagement ring alone are much less
popular than anticipated..
-- The sweet spots: As color and clarity grades improve , diamond prices
increase.harrisinteractive. CARLSBAD, Calif. diploma program, call
310 -670-2100 or toll-free (in the U. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into
the most respected gemological education available.

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You'll save a significant
amount of money and the slight size difference will never be noticed.com

**American Wedding Study 2002.edu.

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-- Buy certified: All diamonds are not created equal. (http://www.

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The best have been
graded by independent gem laboratories.95 carat diamond.

About Blue Nile, Inc.
Established in 1931, GIA has become known to many as "the Harvard of the
gem and jewelry industry," and the professional credentials GIA graduates have
earned are revered worldwide.

This category deals with official organizations within the Gem, Jewelry and metalsmithing industry.

affiliates vigilance

-- Should I ask for their blessing? The majority, 53 percent, say it's
important to ask your future in-laws for their blessing.bluenile.bluenile.co.

About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive Inc.
Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States , Europe
(http://www.)
diploma is the essential first step, and classes in the renowned program begin
May 20 at the Institute's recently relocated Los Angeles branch. Besides hands-on training from experts, with the opportunity to
grade real diamonds and other gemstones using gemological equipment , one of
the key benefits of attending the On Campus program is meeting and networking
with influential industry leaders and fellow students who become lifetime
colleagues.
Kevin Magner, now a G .

productivity gemmology

George Clooney and Angelina Jolie top list of most wanted Valentine's Day
proposals

SEATTLE, On bended knee? Does size
matter? Clooney or Pitt? Aniston or Jolie? These are just a few of the
questions answered in the Valentine's Day Romance Survey* commissioned by Blue
Nile, the nation's leading online jeweler. adult population on the basis of region, age within
gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be
online.G. "And when employers or members of the public see the Institute's
internationally respected G.

adhere gems

A surprising
number of adults are not enamored of the rich and famous, with 32
percent saying they wouldn't want a proposal from any celebrity.harrisinteractive.
Graduates can advance into positions such as a buyer, appraiser, retailer, and
senior professional in the jewelry industry.

artisan metalsmithing

-- Let's get personal .
-- Size matters -- Especially if you live in the Northeast. adult
population been polled with complete accuracy.
In the G. He currently heads the wholesale distribution
for an Italian designer in New York City.

gemmological grading

"Our Valentine's Day Romance Survey shows romance is alive and well, but
also that many of the traditional proposal practices are evolving," said John
Baird, diamond and jewelry expert for Blue Nile.uk."
After learning and networking at GIA Los Angeles, Magner is well on his
way to accomplishing his dream.

gems gemmology

finalists virtuosi

However, the study also showed that traditional
proposal customs were much more important to younger adults, suggesting we're
entering a new era of romance.
Customers can place orders for most items as late as Monday, February 13, at 3
p. ET, to receive free overnight shipping in time for Valentine's Day. Data were weighted to
reflect the total U. It has built a well respected brand by providing consumers with
a better way to buy diamonds and fine jewelry., For those in the greater Los
Angeles area who want to launch a new career in the jewelry profession, the
excitement of gems and jewelry can lead you on a glamorous and exciting career
path. diploma program, students learn to grade and identify diamonds
and other gems from the creators of the International Diamond Grading System. "My classmates came from all over the world -- the prestige of a GIA
diploma is international.gia. In 1953, the Institute
created the International Diamond Grading System(TM) which, today, is
recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

gems affiliates

Out West it's even
less important, as 71 percent plan to keep both feet firmly on the
ground..com), based in Rochester,
New York, is the 13th largest and the fastest -growing market research firm in
the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for its pioneering
leadership in the online market research industry.G., came to the Los Angeles branch in 2003 after
deciding to work toward starting his own international jewelry business.

silversmiths vigilance

"

Key findings include:
-- To knee or not to knee? Only 36 percent of adults believe it is
important that a man get down on one knee when he proposes. While only 41
percent of adults admit that the size of the diamond is important, it's
a bigger deal in the Northeast, where 49 percent indicate size matters,
compared to 39 percent of those living in other regions of the country .
It also matters more to men (44 percent men vs.
-- Two's company . 58 percent women ).
Web sites like BlueNile. Insist your diamond is
accompanied by an independent grading report from either the GIA
(Gemological Institute of America) or AGSL (American Gem Society
Laboratories).
-- Of "The Four C's," don't sacrifice on cut: A diamond has four major
characteristics -- cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, known as "The
Four Cs." These characteristics determine the diamond's quality and
price. However, above certain color and clarity grades the human eye
cannot detect these subtle differences. In effect, you're paying for
something that you can't see. For example, to achieve the best value
consider a near-colorless (G-H) instead of a colorless (D, E, F)
diamond or a VS2 (Very Slightly Included) clarity grade as opposed to
an FL (Flawless) clarity grade. from
January 19-23, 2006, via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus, interviewing a
nationwide sample of 2,417 U.
Founded in 1999, Blue Nile is the leading online retailer of diamonds and
fine jewelry . Blue Nile has established some
of the highest quality standards in the industry and provides consumers with
in-depth educational materials and unique online tools that place consumers in
control of the jewelry shopping process. The Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) Graduate Gemologist (G. Through
research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument
development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems
and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics,
science, and professionalism.

gemological productivity

32 percent women). Again, young
adults (61 percent), and especially young men (68 percent), were most
likely to adhere to this tradition, compared to 49 percent of those in
other age groups.
-- Be honest, is it cheesy? No, a Valentine's Day proposal is romantic,
according to 63 percent of adults.
-- Jolie or Aniston? We'll take Jolie. Adults choose Angelina Jolie
(chosen by 19 percent of men) and George Clooney (chosen by 27 percent
of women) as the celebrities they would most want to receive
Valentine's Day proposals from this February. At the bottom of the
list, Tanya Harding and Axl Rose each received one vote.S. This online sample is not a probability
sample.G.

finalists giftware

However, young adults, aged 18-34, are much more inclined to
feel it's important to propose on bended knee, 59 percent, compared to
an average of 25 percent for older age groups. Perhaps men
want women involved in the process out of fear of choosing the wrong
ring (62 percent men vs.S. All are important, but a diamond's cut is the most critical
because it creates the most sparkle. In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95
percent certainty that the overall results have a sampling error of plus or
minus 3 percentage points of what they would be had the entire U. The Blue Nile Web site showcases more
than 60,000 independently certified diamonds and more than 1,000 styles of
fine jewelry at prices significantly below traditional retail.

silversmiths jewelers

"Just as proposal traditions change over time, so is the manner in which
adults are buying engagement rings," said Mark Vadon, CEO of Blue Nile.com/europe ) and Asia offices, its wholly-owned
subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (http://www. EOE M/F/D/V
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to
participate in future online surveys, go to http://www.G.

gemological jewelers

Even more
important? -- Leave family and friends at home, say 91 percent of
respondents."

Whether on bended knee or not, for those planning to pop the question this
Valentine's Day, Blue Nile offers the following tips:
-- Research, research , research: Buying a diamond is not rocket science. Diamonds accompanied by grading reports from these labs
are the most highly valued, as their quality is considered guaranteed.

Within Six Months Become a Gemological Professional in the Jewelry Industry

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With a
little research men can quickly become experts and buy like a
professional diamond buyer. adults aged 18 and over . Long recognized by its
clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions , the
Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic
consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value.
"The knowledge and education you gain at GIA is instrumental in launching
a start in the gem and jewelry world," said GIA Education Vice President Brook
Ellis.S.

jewellery gemmological

With more than 50,000 Americans
popping the question this Valentine 's Day**, Blue Nile's survey examines many
of the traditions -- old and new -- that have become synonymous with romance,
proposals, February 14, and of course, diamonds.
Surprisingly, more men than women believe this is an important
tradition (40 percent men vs. Sixty percent of adults believe both members of the
couple should be involved in choosing an engagement ring.
-- It 's OK to be shy: Diamond prices jump at the carat and half-carat
marks, so try to buy just shy of these levels. For example, instead of
a 1 carat, look for a . Blue Nile can
be found online at http://www.) 866-702-2088, e-mail laedu@gia.

productivity giftware

39 percent women),
suggesting just how much they fret over the proposal and the engagement
ring purchase.
Blue Nile's shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
NILE.

faceters vigilance

Americans would choose to propose at a spot that
has personal significance to the couple (83 percent), over a nice
restaurant (12 percent), a public sporting event (1 percent), or even a
romantic destination , such as the Eiffel Tower (4 percent). Unlike other traditions where
younger adults were more likely to adhere to romantic traditions,
respondents find a Valentine's Day proposal more and more romantic as
they age.S.harrispollonline.