We only sell genuine .925 sterling silver pendants and medals, made from 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% copper for added durability. While silver naturally tarnishes when exposed to air (oxidation),
our sterling silver jewelry is protected with a clear lacquer coating. This keeps your jewelry looking beautiful by preventing tarnish.

To care for your jewelry:

Cleaning:
Avoid using harsh silver cleaners, as they can strip the protective
lacquer. Instead, clean your jewelry gently with a mild dish soap solution
and rinse with water.

Drying:
Use a microfiber cloth to dry and polish your piece.

Storage:
Store your jewelry in a dry, airtight container to reduce exposure to air.

Sterling silver jewelry is both beautiful and durable, making it a popular choice. However, due to its physical properties, it can tarnish over time when exposed to air, humidity, or personal body chemistry.

With proper care, your sterling silver can maintain its brilliance for years to come. Follow these simple steps and tips to keep your jewelry looking its best.

5 Easy Steps to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry:

1. Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid with ½
   cup of warm water.
2. Moisten a Soft Cloth: Use a plain, 100% cotton cloth and dip it into the solution.
3. Gently Clean: Wipe the surface of your sterling silver jewelry using the dampened cloth.
4. Rinse: Rinse your jewelry thoroughly in clean water to remove any soap residue.
5. Dry: Let your jewelry air-dry completely or gently pat dry with a microfiber cloth before storing.

Important Note:

For sterling silver jewelry purchased from the Catholic Faith Store: Do not use sterling silver cleaner. These harsh chemicals can erode the protective finish on our jewelry, which is either a lacquer coating or high-polished rhodium designed to prevent tarnish.

Preventive Care Tips:

Store Properly: Keep your sterling silver in an airtight container to
minimize exposure to air and humidity.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Keep your jewelry away from chlorine bleach,
detergents, and lotions, as these can erode the finish.

Remove When Necessary: Take off your jewelry before swimming, showering, or
washing dishes.

Prevent Scratches: Use only soft cloths and mild cleaning solutions to avoid
damaging the surface.

Clean Regularly: Periodic cleaning prevents tarnish from building up,
ensuring your jewelry stays beautiful.

Need Help?

If you have any issues or concerns with sterling silver jewelry purchased through the Catholic Faith Store, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to assist you!

Sterling silver is a beautiful and affordable choice for jewelry. It's a precious metal and a valuable investment, but it does have one drawback: tarnishing. Over time, you may notice black, green, or brownish-pink discoloration on your jewelry or even on your skin. This is completely normal and can be managed with proper care.

Sterling silver is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (like copper, nickel, or zinc) to make it stronger, as pure silver is too soft for jewelry. However, when sterling silver is exposed to air,
humidity, and certain chemicals, it undergoes a natural reaction called oxidation, forming silver sulfate. This reaction causes the tarnish you see on your jewelry.

Certain environmental factors and everyday items can speed up tarnishing, including:

• Humidity and Air Pollution
• Chlorinated Water (pools and hot tubs)
• Certain Foods: Onions, eggs, and salty foods
• Perfumes, Hair Sprays, and Lotions
• Latex Gloves, Rubber Bands, and Wool
• Oils from Skin

If you take medication containing zinc or use specific cosmetics, these can also react with sterling silver and accelerate tarnishing.

At Catholic Faith Store, our sterling silver jewelry is protected with a clear lacquer finish or a high-polished rhodium coating. These protective layers help reduce tarnishing but don’t stop it entirely.

How Can I Prevent Tarnish?

To keep your sterling silver jewelry looking its best:

1. Store It Properly: Use an airtight container or zippered bag to limit
   exposure to air and humidity.
2. Remove Before Certain Activities: Avoid wearing your jewelry while swimming,
   showering, or cleaning.
3. Avoid Harsh Substances: Keep your jewelry away from chemicals, perfumes, and lotions.
4. Clean Regularly: Periodic cleaning removes tarnish before it
   becomes visible.

We completely get it, we change our minds too! Free cancellation is available for most items if the order has not yet shipped.

If the order has been shipped, the order is subject to our return policy.

Some items are non-cancellable: Personalized, custom-made, or made-to-order items cannot be cancelled.

We want to speak to you too! Contact us with any questions, concerns, or feedback. We will be sure to get back to you within 24 business hours. However, please note that inquiries sent on Fridays will receive a reply the following Monday, but possibly sooner.

We currently ship to the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK. To enquire about shipping to a different destination, please contact us.

Contiguous United States (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)

Processing time (the time it takes for us to pack your order and take to shipping location) is usually 1-2 days. Shipping times and costs will be calculated at check-out.

All orders are shipped via USPS First Class mail or UPS which requires around 7-10 days to deliver.

Expedited shipping options may be available for select items and are offered at checkout.

International Orders

International Orders are estimated to take 7 to 21 business days to arrive. Please be aware that local taxes and import duties may apply to your purchase and are the responsibility of the customers. All international
orders are a final sale.

We know how exciting it is to receive your tracking number and eagerly await your order. However, sometimes shipments can take longer than expected, and we completely understand how frustrating this can be.

Once your order has shipped, any delays caused by the carrier (e.g., USPS or UPS) are unfortunately beyond our control. If you experience a delay, here’s what we recommend:

1. Check the Tracking Information
   Use the tracking number we provided to check the latest updates from the carrier.
2. Contact the Carrier Directly
   For detailed information about the delay, you can reach out to USPS or UPS directly. Their customer service teams can often provide more specific insights about your package.
3. Reach Out to Us
   If you need additional assistance or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help in any way we can!

We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work together to get your order to you as quickly as possible.

General Return Policy

Return Window: Items may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a refund. Beyond 30 days unfortunately we cannot offer a refund.

Eligibility: Items must be unused, unworn, and in their original condition, and include all original packaging and components.

Please see our Full Return and Refund Policy for additional details and how to start a return.

Refunds are processed within 10 days from when we receive and inspect the item(s).