Online jeweler Blue Nile, on Tuesday reported net sales of $56.9 million in the second quarter of 2006, compared to net sales of $43.8 million during the same period of 2005, an increase of 30 percent. Net income for the second quarter (ended July 2) was $3.1 million compared with $2.8 million last year.

The Seattle-based said company forecasted net sales for the year to be between $240 million and $252 million.

“We delivered exceptional second quarter performance due to strong consumer demand in our core product offerings,” said Mark Vadon, Blue Nile chief executive officer. “Our aggressive pricing initiatives worked to accelerate our top-line growth, while disciplined execution by our employees throughout the business delivered outstanding earnings results.”

JCK