Carat Hunter · Diamond retailer comparisons
Blue Nile vs Cape Diamonds
Side-by-side store comparison. Independent and non-promotional.
Data current as of October 29, 2026 · Updated daily. Zero affiliate revenue.
At a glance
| Blue Nile | Cape Diamonds | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, WA | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Current listings | 376,585 | 1,138,341 |
| Origin mix | Lab + Natural | Lab + Natural |
| Cert labs accepted | AGS · DF · EGL · EGL USA · EGLUSA · GCAL · GIA · GSI · HRD · IGI · R&F · SGS · STULLER · UNKNOWN | CAPE DIAMONDS · EGL · GCAL · GIA · HRD · IGI · OTHER · SGS · WISE |
| Ships to | US · CA · UK · AU | South Africa · International |
| Return window | 30 days | 7 days |
| Terms checked | Not yet verified | June 15, 2026 |
Current listings, origin mix and accepted labs are updated daily. Founded, headquarters and shipping come from public sources. Return terms are our summary of each retailer's own policy page, dated per retailer in the table. Retailers change their terms, so check the retailer's own returns and shipping pages before you buy.
What each store stocks
Inventory composition observed across each store's current listings.
Blue Nile
Origin mix
Most common shapes
Cape Diamonds
Origin mix
Most common shapes
Stones stocked by both
We track 29,130 diamonds currently listed at both stores.
Most common overlap: Emerald, 2ct, lab-grown, D VS1
Each matched stone has its own page where both retailers' prices appear next to the same physical diamond. That is where price comparison happens, on the stone, not on this page.
Pick by what you are looking for
- Need shipping to Canada? Both stores ship there.
- Need GIA grading? Both stores carry it.
- Need IGI grading? Both stores carry it.
- Need HRD grading? Both stores carry it.
- Cape Diamonds stocks more lab-grown. Blue Nile stocks more lab-grown.
Looking for a specific spec?
Browse every retailer in our index, grouped by shape, carat, colour, and clarity. Thousands of spec pages.
Browse where-to-buy by specQuestions we get
Does Carat Hunter earn commission from either store?
No. We earn zero affiliate revenue from any retailer in our index.
Why do you not show price comparisons on this page?
Pricing varies per stone, not per store. Click through to any matched diamond above and you'll see both retailers' prices on the exact same physical stone, which is the real comparison.
How fresh is this data?
Listings refresh as we re-read each retailer, most of them every day. Static facts refresh monthly.
How do I find a specific stone at both stores?
Use the GIA or IGI certificate number in our search.