FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Products & Materials

What materials do you use in your jewelry?

Each GUIDED BY CROSS piece is carefully crafted with premium materials: sterling silver 925, 18K gold-plated, or PVD stainless steel. We also incorporate zirconia crystals and natural stones like tiger's eye and lapis lazuli. We personally inspect every item before shipping to ensure you receive jewelry worthy of your faith.

Will gold-plated pieces fade or lose their color?

Our 18K gold-plated pieces are made to last with proper care. The high-quality gold plating maintains its elegant shine when you avoid prolonged contact with water, perfumes, and chemicals. With gentle care, your jewelry will continue to be a beautiful symbol of your faith for years.

Do you offer personalized engraving or customization?

Currently, we focus on offering a carefully curated collection of traditional and authentic religious symbols. We don't offer engraving or customization services, but each piece carries deep spiritual meaning in its original design.

What's the difference between 925 silver, 18K gold-plated, and PVD steel?

  • Sterling Silver 925: 92.5% pure silver, durable and timeless, with classic silver shine
  • 18K Gold-Plated: Quality metal base with 18K gold layer, offering elegant gold look at accessible price
  • PVD Stainless Steel: Extremely durable and resistant, ideal for active daily wear, maintains shine longer

Each material has its unique beauty. Choose based on your personal style and how you plan to wear the piece.

Sizing & Fit

What necklace size should I choose?

  • 16-18 inches: Sits at base of neck, ideal for higher necklines
  • 18-20 inches: Most popular length, sits just below collarbone
  • 20-24 inches: Falls on chest, perfect for layering or more dramatic look

If you're unsure, 18-20 inches is the most versatile length for daily wear. Many of our necklaces have adjustable extenders for added flexibility.

How do I know what bracelet size I need?

To measure your wrist:

  1. Use a flexible measuring tape or piece of string around your wrist
  2. Add 0.5-1 inch for comfort
  3. Compare with our measurements on the product page

Most of our bracelets come in standard sizes (7-8 inches) that fit most wrists. If you need a specific size, check the product description or contact us before purchasing.

What if the jewelry doesn't fit?

No problem! We offer easy exchanges within 30 days. We'll send a prepaid return label within 24 hours of your request. You can exchange for a different size or choose another piece from our collection.

Shipping & Delivery

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes! Free shipping on orders of 2 or more pieces. It's our way of encouraging you to complete your faith look or find the perfect gift for someone special. Single-item orders have shipping fee calculated at checkout.

How long does it take to receive my order?

  • Processing: 1-2 business days (I personally inspect each piece before shipping)
  • Shipping: 5-7 business days to most US addresses
  • Total: Expect 6-9 business days from purchase to delivery

You'll receive a tracking number as soon as your order ships.

Do you ship internationally?

Currently, we only ship within the United States. Our focus is on serving the American faith community with exceptional care and attention.

Will my order arrive in discreet packaging?

Your order will arrive in secure, elegant packaging that reflects the quality of the jewelry inside. There are no external markings indicating specific contents, but the packaging is presentable and gift-appropriate if you're purchasing for someone special.

Returns, Exchanges & Guarantees

What is your return policy?

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery for full refund or exchange. The piece must be unworn, in original condition, with all tags. Contact us and we'll send a prepaid return label within 24 hours—no hassle, no difficult questions.

We understand that sometimes a piece simply doesn't resonate with you the way you expected, and that's okay. ❤️

What if my jewelry arrives damaged or defective?

This is extremely rare because we personally inspect each piece, but if it happens, we'll resolve it immediately. Contact us with a photo within 48 hours of delivery, and we'll send a replacement or full refund right away—no need to return the damaged piece first.

Your satisfaction and trust are sacred to us.

Can I exchange for a different style or size?

Absolutely! Exchanges are easy within 30 days. Contact us, and we'll coordinate the exchange. We'll send your new piece once we receive the return, or we can ship immediately if you prefer (you'll be charged for the new piece until we receive the return).

Do you offer a warranty?

Each piece comes with our 30-day quality guarantee. If you experience any quality issues (not normal wear) within 30 days, we'll arrange for replacement or refund. Beyond that, we're always available to guide you on proper care to keep your jewelry beautiful for years.

Religious Meaning & Symbolism

What saints and symbols do you offer?

Our collection celebrates deeply meaningful Christian symbols:

  • Crosses in various styles (Latin, Celtic, Orthodox)
  • Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immaculate Conception)
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Saint medals (St. Michael, St. Teresa, St. Christopher, and others)
  • Faith symbols (doves, fish, anchors)

Each piece is chosen for its authenticity and respect for Christian tradition.

Are the saint medals blessed?

Our medals don't come pre-blessed, but they are made with reverence and respect. Many customers choose to have their medals blessed by their local priest or spiritual leader, making the piece even more personal and meaningful to their faith journey.

Can I wear religious jewelry every day?

Yes! Our pieces are made to be daily companions of your faith. We choose durable materials specifically for everyday use. With simple care (remove before swimming/intense exercise, avoid harsh chemicals), your jewelry can be a constant reminder of God's presence in your life.

Is this jewelry appropriate for First Communion/wedding/baptism gifts?

Absolutely! Religious jewelry makes timeless gifts for spiritual milestones. Our pieces are elegant enough for special occasions, yet practical for daily wear after the celebration. Many customers choose:

  • First Communion: Delicate crosses, saint medals
  • Weddings: Coordinated sets, rosary bracelets
  • Baptisms: Protection pieces like St. Michael or guardian angels

Each piece comes in elegant packaging, ready for gifting.

Care & Maintenance

How do I care for my jewelry?

Your sacred jewelry is more than an accessory—it's a daily companion in your faith journey. Caring for your piece is a small act of stewardship, honoring both the craftsmanship and the spiritual meaning it carries. With proper care, your jewelry will remain beautiful and meaningful for years to come.

Care instructions vary by material. Find your piece below:

Sterling Silver 925 Care

Why does silver tarnish? Sterling silver naturally oxidizes when exposed to air, moisture, and sulfur compounds found in lotions, perfumes, and sweat. This is completely normal and doesn't indicate poor quality—it's the nature of authentic silver.

Daily Care:

  • Remove before showering, swimming, exercising, or applying lotions/perfumes

  • Put your jewelry on last, after applying beauty products

  • Wipe gently with a soft cloth after each wear to remove oils and moisture

Storage:

  • Store in the anti-tarnish pouch provided with your order

  • Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

  • Store pieces separately to prevent scratching

Cleaning:

  • For light tarnish: Use a soft jewelry polishing cloth (we recommend keeping one with your jewelry)

  • For deeper tarnish: Use a silver cleaning solution designed specifically for jewelry—avoid harsh household chemicals

  • Rinse thoroughly with water and dry completely if using liquid cleaner

Pro tip: Wear your silver often! Natural skin oils actually help prevent tarnish. Regular wear keeps silver looking its best.

18K Gold-Plated Care

Understanding gold plating: Gold plating is a layer of real 18K gold bonded over a base metal. It's durable and beautiful, but requires gentle care to maintain its luster. With proper care, your gold-plated jewelry will maintain its finish for years.

Daily Care:

  • Remove before any water exposure (shower, pool, ocean, washing hands)

  • Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, hairspray, cleaning products, and cosmetics

  • Put your jewelry on last—after all makeup, hair products, and fragrances are applied

  • Remove before exercising (sweat can accelerate wear)

  • Avoid sleeping in delicate chains or pieces with intricate details

Storage:

  • Store each piece separately in a soft pouch to prevent scratching

  • Keep away from humidity (avoid storing in bathrooms)

  • Keep away from direct sunlight and heat

Cleaning:

  • Clean only with a soft, dry cloth

  • Never use jewelry cleaners, polishing compounds, or chemicals on gold-plated pieces

  • If needed, use a slightly damp cloth with plain water, then dry immediately and thoroughly

What to expect: With daily wear and proper care, gold-plated jewelry typically maintains its finish for 1-3 years. Wear patterns vary based on individual body chemistry, activity level, and care habits. High-contact areas (like chain clasps) may show wear first—this is normal.

PVD Stainless Steel Care

Why PVD stainless steel? PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating creates an extremely durable finish that's resistant to tarnishing, fading, and scratching. This is our lowest-maintenance option, perfect for everyday wear.

Daily Care:

  • More water-resistant than silver or gold-plated, but still remove before swimming in chlorinated or salt water

  • Remove before applying harsh chemicals or cleaning products

  • Wipe with a soft cloth after wear to maintain shine

Storage:

  • Store in the provided pouch to prevent scratches

  • Can be stored with less concern about humidity compared to silver or gold-plated pieces

Cleaning:

  • Clean with mild soap and warm water

  • Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth

  • Avoid abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or rough cloths that could scratch the finish

What if my jewelry tarnishes or changes color?

For Sterling Silver: Tarnishing is natural and expected—it's actually a sign of authentic silver! This doesn't mean your piece is defective. Follow the silver cleaning instructions above, and your piece will return to its original radiance. If you're unsure about cleaning or the tarnish is severe, contact us at [your email] and we'll guide you through it.

For Gold-Plated pieces: If you notice the gold color fading or the base metal showing through, this typically indicates wear from contact with water, chemicals, or friction. Review the care instructions above to prevent further wear. If your piece is less than 30 days old and showing unusual wear despite proper care, please contact us immediately—we stand behind our quality.

For PVD Stainless Steel: PVD coating is highly resistant to color change. If you notice any discoloration, it's likely due to residue buildup. Clean with mild soap and water. If discoloration persists, contact us.

My jewelry broke or has a defect. What should I do?

We personally inspect every piece before shipping to ensure it meets our quality standards. However, if you receive a piece with a manufacturing defect or if it breaks under normal wear within 30 days, we'll replace it immediately or provide a full refund—no questions asked.

Please contact us at hello@guidedbycross.com with:

  • Your order number

  • A photo of the issue

  • A brief description of what happened

We typically respond within 24-48 hours and will resolve the issue quickly. Your satisfaction and the integrity of your sacred jewelry matter deeply to us.

Can I shower or swim with my jewelry?

Short answer: We strongly recommend removing all jewelry before water exposure.

Sterling Silver 925: No—water accelerates tarnishing, especially chlorinated or salt water.

18K Gold-Plated: No—water exposure will wear through the gold plating over time.

PVD Stainless Steel: More water-resistant, but still remove before swimming in chlorinated or salt water to maximize longevity.

Why we recommend this: Even water-resistant pieces last longer when removed before water activities. Since your jewelry carries spiritual significance, we want it to remain beautiful for years to come.

How do I store my jewelry when I'm not wearing it?

Every order includes an anti-tarnish storage pouch. Here's how to use it:

Daily storage:

  • Place your jewelry in the pouch immediately after removing it

  • Store each piece separately to prevent tangling and scratching

  • Keep the pouch in a cool, dry place (avoid bathrooms due to humidity)

  • Keep away from direct sunlight

Travel storage:

  • Use the pouch to protect pieces in your luggage

  • Consider a small jewelry travel case for extra protection

  • Keep pieces separated to prevent damage

Long-term storage:

  • Clean pieces before storing for extended periods

  • Ensure pieces are completely dry

  • Store in pouches in a cool, dry location

  • Check periodically and clean if needed

Do you offer jewelry cleaning or repair services?

Currently, we don't offer in-house cleaning or repair services. However, we're happy to provide guidance:

For cleaning: Follow the material-specific instructions above. If you need additional help, email us at hello@guidedbycross.com with photos and we'll walk you through it.

For repairs: If your piece breaks due to a manufacturing defect within 30 days, we'll replace it under our quality guarantee. For repairs needed after 30 days due to normal wear, we recommend visiting a local jeweler who specializes in [silver/gold/stainless steel] jewelry.

For replating gold-plated pieces: After years of wear, gold-plated pieces can be replated by professional jewelers. Contact us if you'd like recommendations.

I lost my storage pouch. Can I get a replacement?

Yes! Email us at hello@guidedbycross and we'll send you a replacement pouch. There's no charge—we want you to have everything you need to care for your sacred jewelry properly.

Can I wear my jewelry while exercising or sleeping?

Exercising: We recommend removing all jewelry before exercise. Sweat contains salts and acids that accelerate tarnishing (silver) and wear (gold-plated). Additionally, exercise equipment can catch on chains or damage delicate pieces.

Sleeping: We recommend removing jewelry before bed, especially:

  • Delicate chains (can tangle or break)

  • Pieces with pendants or charms (can catch on bedding)

  • Gold-plated pieces (friction against pillows accelerates wear)

Removing jewelry at night also gives your skin a chance to breathe and extends the life of your pieces.

My jewelry has sentimental/spiritual value. How do I make it last forever?

We understand that your jewelry isn't just an accessory—it's a tangible expression of your faith and often marks significant spiritual moments in your life.

To maximize longevity:

  1. Follow all material-specific care instructions above

  2. Remove before any potentially damaging activities (water, exercise, cleaning, sleeping)

  3. Store properly every single time you remove it

  4. Clean regularly and gently

  5. Inspect periodically for signs of wear (loose clasps, thin chain links, worn plating)

For heirloom pieces: If you're purchasing jewelry you hope to pass down or keep for decades, consider:

  • Sterling Silver 925: Can last generations with proper care and occasional professional cleaning

  • PVD Stainless Steel: Extremely durable for long-term wear

  • Gold-Plated: Beautiful but will require replating after several years of daily wear

If you have questions about which material is best for your specific needs, email us at hello@guidedbycross.com —we're here to help you choose a piece that will serve your faith journey for years to come.

Payment & Security

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, and Shop Pay for secure, convenient checkout.

Is my payment information secure?

Absolutely. We use industry-standard SSL encryption to protect your information. We never store your complete credit card details on our servers. All transactions are processed through secure, trusted payment gateways.

Contact & Support

How can I contact you?

We're here to help! You can reach us through our contact form or email (hello@guidedbycross.com).

We are a small team and respond to every message, though please allow 24-48 hours for response. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.

Do you have a physical store?

We're exclusively online, which allows us to offer premium quality jewelry at accessible prices. Every piece is inspected and shipped with personal care directly to your door.

Blessings,
Team
GUIDED BY CROSS