Online diamond and jewelry retailer Blue Nile, Inc. reported net sales of $73.7 million for the second quarter of 2008, up from $72.1 million for the same period of the prior year. Net income fell to $3.2 million, compared with $3.78 million in the same period of 2007.

Richard Hughes, gemologist and author, has resigned as senior staff gemologist for the American Gem Trade Association’s Gemological Testing Center. Hughes worked at GTC for four years in the West Coast laboratory.

New York—When cell phones started hitting the mass market back in the early 1990s, it was clear that they would become more and more sophisticated, more laden with bells, whistles and conveniences, even as they got smaller and lighter.

Boston—The Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts (ASJRA) will hold its annual conference this fall, with the focus on examining personal ornament as a decorative art against the background of the turn of the 19th century into the 20th.

Mumbai, India—The Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) has innovative plans for its pavilion at the upcoming India International Jewellery Show, scheduled for Aug. 7-11 in Mumbai.

New York—The Rapaport Group's RapNet Diamond Trading Network has launched RapNet China, the first multilingual Chinese and English diamond-trading network.

New York—The Rapaport Group's RapNet Diamond Trading Network has launched RapNet China, the first multilingual Chinese and English diamond-trading network.

New York—Kwiat Diamonds will open its first flagship store on New York City's Madison Avenue this month.

Westwood, Mass.—An investment capital company has acquired an ownership stake in Florida-based jeweler Henricks Jewelers, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last fall, but now plans to continue operations at its two stores in Bonita Springs, Fla., and Naples, Fla., rather than liquidate.