Kendra Scott will replace tarnished jewelry only if the tarnish is a manufacturing defect, not normal wear

Kendra Scott offers a lifetime warranty on most pieces, but the warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship — not tarnishing that happens from everyday wear, exposure to air, or contact with water, perfume, or sweat. If your piece tarnished because you wore it regularly, they will not replace it. If the tarnish appeared within weeks of purchase and the metal itself is flawed, you have a stronger case for a replacement.

The distinction matters because tarnish is oxidation, which is a natural chemical process. Kendra Scott's warranty assumes you understand this will happen to sterling silver and gold-plated pieces over time. What they will cover is a clasp that breaks, a stone that falls out, or plating that peels off in a way that suggests the piece was not made correctly from the start.

To request a replacement, you contact Kendra Scott directly through their website or by phone. You will need your order number and photos of the damage. They will review the images and decide whether the issue qualifies as a defect. If they approve the replacement, they typically send a new piece and ask you to return the damaged one.

Key Takeaways

  • Kendra Scott's lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects like broken clasps and loose stones, not tarnish from normal wear.
  • Tarnish on sterling silver and gold-plated jewelry is a natural process that happens over time and is not considered a defect.
  • You can request a replacement by contacting Kendra Scott with your order number and photos of the damage.
  • The company will review your case and decide whether the damage qualifies under their warranty before sending a replacement.

What the Kendra Scott Warranty Actually Covers

The lifetime warranty applies to defects in materials and craftsmanship. This means a clasp that snaps without you dropping the piece, a stone that falls out because the setting was not find, or plating that flakes off in large patches within the first few months. These are signs the piece was not made correctly.

The warranty does not cover damage from accidents, intentional misuse, or normal aging of the materials. If you dropped your bracelet, sat on it, or wore it in the shower regularly, that is not a manufacturing defect. If the gold plating wore away after two years of daily wear, that is expected — plating is a thin layer and will eventually thin further with friction from skin, clothing, and other jewelry.

Kendra Scott jewelry is made with materials like sterling silver, 14-karat gold plating, and semi-precious stones. Each of these materials has natural limits. Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to air and moisture. Gold plating wears away with use. These are not flaws in the piece; they are properties of the materials themselves.

How to Tell if Tarnish Might Be Covered

If your jewelry tarnished very quickly — within days or a few weeks of purchase — and you barely wore it, photograph it and contact Kendra Scott. Describe when you bought it, how often you wore it, and whether you exposed it to water or chemicals. They will ask for these details to assess whether the tarnish suggests a problem with the metal quality or plating thickness.

If the tarnish is uneven, patchy, or accompanied by discoloration of your skin, that can indicate a plating or alloy issue rather than normal oxidation. Document this with clear photos taken in natural light. Kendra Scott's customer service team uses photos to make their decision, so quality images help your case.

If you purchased the piece recently and it came tarnished or discolored out of the box, that is a different situation. Contact Kendra Scott when ready with photos and your order number. A piece that arrives defective is usually replaced without question.

The Difference Between Tarnish and Plating Failure

Tarnish is a thin, dark layer of oxidation that forms on the surface of sterling silver. It looks dull or blackish and can usually be polished off with a soft cloth or silver polish. Tarnish is reversible and does not mean the piece is damaged.

Plating failure is different. If the gold or silver plating is peeling, flaking, or wearing through to show a different metal underneath, that is a structural problem. This can happen if the plating was applied too thin, if the base metal was not prepared correctly, or if the piece was made with poor quality control. Plating failure is more likely to be covered under warranty because it suggests a manufacturing defect.

Sterling silver pieces that are not plated will tarnish naturally and are not may be able to access for replacement due to tarnish alone. If you own a sterling silver Kendra Scott piece, expect to polish it occasionally. If you own a gold-plated piece, expect the plating to wear away eventually, especially on areas that get friction like the inside of a bracelet or the back of a pendant.

How to Prevent Tarnish and Extend Your Jewelry's Life

Store your jewelry in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity. A jewelry box with a soft lining or a small zippered pouch works well. Avoid storing jewelry in the bathroom, where steam and moisture accelerate tarnishing.

Remove your jewelry before showering, swimming, exercising, or explore perfume, lotion, or sunscreen. These substances can speed up tarnishing and wear down plating faster. If your piece gets wet, dry it when ready with a soft cloth.

For sterling silver pieces, you can use a polishing cloth or silver polish to remove tarnish. For gold-plated pieces, use only a soft, damp cloth — avoid abrasive polishes, which can scratch or remove the plating. If plating does wear away, some jewelers can re-plate pieces, though this is a paid service and not covered by Kendra Scott's warranty.

What to Do if Kendra Scott Denies Your Replacement Request

If Kendra Scott reviews your photos and decides the tarnish is not a manufacturing defect, they will deny the replacement request. At that point, you have a few options. You can ask them to explain their decision in detail — sometimes a follow-up conversation clarifies whether the issue truly is normal wear or whether they missed something in the photos.

You can also have the piece professionally cleaned or polished. A jeweler can remove tarnish from sterling silver and assess whether the piece has any actual structural damage that might warrant a claim. If the jeweler finds a defect, you can contact Kendra Scott again with that professional assessment.

If the piece is gold-plated and the plating is failing, you can ask a jeweler for a re-plating quote. This is usually cheaper than buying a new piece, though it is not free. Keep your receipt and warranty documentation in case you want to pursue the claim further or contact Kendra Scott's customer service a second time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return tarnished jewelry to Kendra Scott for a refund?

Kendra Scott has a return window of 30 days from purchase for unworn or unwashed pieces. If you wore the jewelry and it tarnished, it is outside the return window and will not be accepted for a refund. The lifetime warranty covers defects, not returns for tarnish.

Does Kendra Scott jewelry tarnish faster than other brands?

Kendra Scott uses standard sterling silver and gold plating, which tarnish and wear at rates similar to other jewelry brands in the same price range. How fast tarnish appears depends on how often you wear the piece, where you store it, and what you expose it to — not the brand.

What if my Kendra Scott piece arrived already tarnished?

Contact Kendra Scott when ready with photos and your order number. A piece that arrives defective or damaged is usually replaced without question, as long as you have not worn it. This is different from tarnish that develops after you start wearing the jewelry.

Is Kendra Scott jewelry real gold and silver?

Most Kendra Scott pieces are made with sterling silver (92.5% pure silver) or 14-karat gold plating over a base metal. Some pieces use semi-precious stones. These are real materials, but gold-plated pieces have a thin layer of gold over another metal, so the plating will eventually wear away with regular wear.

Can I clean my Kendra Scott jewelry at home?

Yes. For sterling silver, use a soft polishing cloth or silver polish. For gold-plated pieces, use only a soft, damp cloth and dry when ready — avoid harsh polishes that can damage the plating. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner on gold-plated jewelry, as these can strip the plating.