Online purchases of diamonds surged 130 percent this Valentine’s Day compared with last year’s figures, according to VeriSign, which processes nearly 40 percent of North American Internet sales.

It was the biggest increase of any category the company tracked.

Online sales of the overall jewelry category increased 34 percent over last year, VeriSign said.

Other e-business news:

• Seattle-based e-tailer Blue Nile reported 2004 sales of $169.2 million, an increase of 31.3 percent over the previous year’s figures. Net income was $10 million.

• Amazon.com said that December 2004 jewelry sales increased more than 120 percent over the previous year’s sales and that the category’s triple-digit growth continues in 2005.