SEATTLE, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Blue Nile Inc (NILE.O), which sells jewelry online, posted a slightly lower second-quarter profit on Thursday 6 August, as it saw fewer takers for baubles in the recession.

Blue Nile Inc

The Seattle-based company's profit fell to $2.8 million or 19 cents per share, in the quarter ended July 5, compared with $3.2 million or 20 cents per share, a year earlier.

Sales fell 5.2 percent to $69.9 million, Blue Nile said.

For the full year, it forecast sales of $288 million to $295 million, and per-share earnings of 78 cents to 82 cents.

Jewelry has been one of the worst hit sectors in the downturn, as consumers balk at buying anything expensive or unnecessary, as they face job losses and tight credit access.

Finlay Enterprises Inc (FNLY.OB) was the latest victim among jewelers, filing for bankruptcy in a Manhattan court late Wednesday 5 August, with plans to liquidate its assets.

(Reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman; Editing Bernard Orr)