⚠️ Eligibility Check: FREE RETURN + INSTANT REFUND.
Standard Kendra Scott returns via mail take 15–20 Business Days (approx. 3–4 weeks) to process. Even worse, if you return an online order in-store, you are often forced to accept Store Credit instead of a cash refund. However, select zip codes are now eligible for Fee-Free Drop-offs and Immediate Cash Refundsvia Closo. Check your status before you print a label.
There is a specific kind of "Sorority Rush" energy that hits you when you walk into a Kendra Scott store. You see the wall of Color Bar gems, the rows of sparkling Elisa pendants, and the gold filigree, and you immediately want to buy matching sets for everyone you know. You sign up for the birthday discount because, hey, 50% off is an insane deal, and you grab three necklaces because the lighting makes everything look perfect.
But when you get home (or when the online order arrives), the reality sets in. The "Gold" is a bit yellower than your other jewelry. The chain feels shorter than you expected. You realize you spent $300 on costume jewelry that you might not wear.
That was me last month. I bought an Elisa pendant and a cuff bracelet online, intending to wear them to a wedding. The shade of blue didn't match my dress. No big deal, I thought. I’ll just drive to the mall and return them.
I didn't realize I had signed up for the "Double Pain."
First, the store associate told me that because I bought them online, an in-store return would result in Store Credit Only. To get my cash back, I had to mail them in. Frustrated, I went home and printed the label. Then came the wait. It took nearly four weeks for the package to travel to their distribution center, sit in a queue, and for the funds to finally reappear. I was lending Kendra Scott $300 for a month just to try on a necklace.
If you are currently staring at a yellow Kendra box and trying to navigate the kendra scott return policy, or panicking because your fake Kendra Scott necklace turned green (we'll get to that), you’ve come to the right place. I’ve analyzed the fine print, the "Birthday Discount" final sale trap, and the logistics to help you get your money back without the headache.
How to return Kendra Scott items (The Slow & Costly Way)
Kendra Scott creates a beautiful in-store experience, but their return logistics are surprisingly rigid compared to modern e-commerce standards. The biggest friction point is the disconnect between their online warehouse and their physical stores.
The Standard Mail-In Flow (For Cash Refunds)
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Check the Tags: Before you do anything, look at the jewelry card. Is the price tag sticker still on the back? Is the necklace still clasped around the card? If you ripped it off, they might reject it as "worn."
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Verify "Final Sale": Did you use your 50% off Birthday Discount? If yes, stop. That item is yours forever. Did you customize it at the Color Bar? Yours forever.
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Start the Return: Go to the Kendra Scott Returns Portal. You will need your order number and zip code.
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Print the Label: The system generates a pre-paid label (usually USPS or FedEx).
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Pack the Box: Crucial Step: Put the jewelry back in the yellow pouch, and put the pouch in a sturdy box. If you throw a necklace into a paper envelope and it gets crushed in transit, they will deny the refund.
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The Drop-off: Take it to the carrier.
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The Long Wait: This is the painful part. The package travels via ground shipping. Once it arrives at the distribution center, their policy states it takes up to 15 business days (3 weeks) to process. With bank posting times, you are looking at a month without your money.
The Financial Reality: You are paying a "Liquidity Tax." While the return label itself might be free (for now), the cost is time. If you return a $400 haul, that money is missing from your budget for a full billing cycle. If you needed that cash to pay your credit card bill, you are out of luck.
This is the old way: You print the label, and you wait for the bank. But if you live in a "Fast Zone," you can skip both. Use the tool below to see if your zip code qualifies for a Free Return with Instant Refund.
Common issues shoppers face with Kendra Scott returns
I’ve analyzed hundreds of consumer reports regarding the kendra scott return policy for tarnished jewelry and general returns, and the frustration usually stems from the store credit trap and quality issues.
1. The "Store Credit" Trap
This is the number one complaint.
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The Scenario: You buy online for convenience. You go to the store to return it for speed.
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The Policy: Many Kendra Scott locations will only offer Store Credit or Exchange for online orders returned in person.
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The Result: You are forced to choose: Do I want my money back in 4 weeks (mail), or do I want store credit today? It feels like a trap to keep your money in their ecosystem.
2. The Birthday Discount "Final Sale"
Everyone loves the "50% Off During Your Birthday Month" perk.
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The Catch: The fine print states that items bought with this discount are Final Sale.
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The Pain: You buy a necklace as a gift for yourself. It doesn't fit right. You try to return it. They refuse. You are stuck with it.
3. Tarnished Jewelry vs. Returns
Kendra Scott jewelry is "Fashion Jewelry" (plated brass), not solid gold.
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The Issue: It tarnishes. If you wear it in the shower or put perfume on it, it turns copper/green.
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The Policy: You cannot "return" tarnished jewelry for a refund. However, you can file a warranty claim (more on this in the Hacks section). Shoppers often confuse the two and get rejected by the returns department.
4. Processing Delays
15 business days is a long time in 2025.
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The Comparison: Amazon refunds you when the carrier scans the box. Kendra Scott waits until they manually inspect the item. During holidays (the kendra scott holiday return policy window), this delay can stretch even longer.
Here’s where it gets interesting... some neighborhoods have unlocked a way to bypass these delays and credit traps.
The New Standard: Free Returns & Instant Refunds
While the standard kendra scott return policy without receipt leads to store credit and long waits, third-party innovations are changing the game.
This is where services like Closo come in.
Closo acts as a bridge between you and the retailer, removing the friction points of the "Double Negative" (Wait + Store Credit).
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No "Store Credit" Coercion: You get your actual money back to your original payment method.
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No "Mail" Wait: You don't have to wait 15 business days for the warehouse to inspect it.
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No Box Stress: You don't need tape or a label.
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Instant Money: The moment you drop the item off at a local kiosk or partner location, the refund is triggered instantly.
Why many shoppers prefer using Closo
It comes down to liquidity. When you return a $100 necklace via mail, that is $100 missing from your bank account for a month.
With the Closo model (the "Double Positive"), you retain the full value of your purchase immediately. You hand over the item, scan a QR code, and by the time you walk back to your car, the notification is on your phone: Refund Processed.
It transforms the return from a "shipping project" into a simple errand.
Are you eligible for Free & Instant Returns?
Because this involves physical logistics and partnerships with local drop-off points, this premium service isn't active in every zip code for Kendra Scott yet. You need to verify your location.
This premium service isn't active in every zip code for Kendra Scott yet. You need to verify your location.
If the tool says "Not Active," don't worry. Enter your email to Vote for your Zip Code. We prioritize launching in neighborhoods with the most requests. Plus, voters are entered into our monthly sweepstakes to have their standard return fees reimbursed while they wait.
3 "Secret" Hacks for the Kendra Scott Return Policy
If you aren't in a Closo zone yet, or if you are dealing with a tarnished piece, you need to know how to maneuver through the system. Here are three methods to hack the policy.
Hack #1: The "Warranty" Swap (For Tarnished Items)
If your necklace turned green or the plating wore off within a year:
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The Hack: Do not try to "return" it. Walk into a store and claim the 1-Year Warranty.
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The Strategy: Say, "I bought this less than a year ago and the quality hasn't held up." Most store managers are empowered to replace the item on the spot for free. They want you to stay a happy customer. This gets you a brand new piece, which is better than a rejected return.
Hack #2: The Gift Receipt Loophole
If you bought an item online and want to return it in-store without getting trapped by "Store Credit" (if you want an exchange), use a gift receipt.
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The Hack: If you are exchanging, bring the gift receipt.
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The Benefit: It simplifies the transaction. They don't look at your original payment method; they just give you the value of the item to spend on something else immediately. It avoids the awkward "we can't refund your PayPal" conversation.
Hack #3: The Earring Hygiene Waiver
Officially, earrings are returnable if unworn.
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The Hack: If you tried them on and they are heavy/painful, clean the posts with alcohol wipes and put them back on the card.
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The Strategy: Be honest but firm. "I tried them on for 10 seconds and they were too heavy." Most associates will accept this. If you say "I wore them to a party and they hurt," they will reject it.
FAQ: People always ask me...
"What is the Kendra Scott return policy for tarnished jewelry?"
Answer: You cannot return tarnished jewelry for a refund. However, Kendra Scott offers a 1-year warranty on Fashion Jewelry. If your item tarnishes prematurely due to a defect, you can bring it to a store for a replacement. If it tarnished because you wore it in the pool (chlorine damage), the warranty technically doesn't cover it, but managers are often lenient.
"Can I return a Kendra Scott item without a receipt?"
Answer: The kendra scott return policy no receipt is strict. Without proof of purchase, they may deny the return entirely. However, if you have an account (Kendra Scott Insider), they can look up the transaction. If you have absolutely no record, they might offer a merchandise credit at the current selling price, but don't count on it.
"Is my Kendra Scott necklace fake?"
Answer: If you bought a kendra scott hockey necklace or elisa gold pendant necklace from a site like SHEIN, Temu, or a sketchy Facebook ad for $10, it is a Kendra Scott dupe or fake. Kendra Scott does not honor returns or warranties for fakes. Real Kendra Scott jewelry has a specific weight and usually a small "KS" stamp on the clasp.
Conclusion
Navigating the kendra scott return policy is all about avoiding the traps. The jewelry is pretty, but the Store Credit Only rule for in-store returns and the Final Sale on birthday discounts can leave you stuck with items you don't want.
You have a choice. You can follow the old rules: mail it back, wait 4 weeks, and hope it doesn't get lost. Or, you can check your eligibility for the modern solution.
Check if you can skip the wait and get your money back today.
Related Articles:
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Gorjana vs. Kendra Scott: Which Jewelry Brand Lasts Longer?
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How to Clean Kendra Scott Jewelry to Prevent Tarnish
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The Ultimate Guide to the Kendra Scott Birthday Discount
