Rosaries, crosses, medals and devotional books are bought online for many reasons, and the rules that matter are the same as for any jewelry or gift: what it is made of, how big it is, and what happens if it is wrong. Religious items add one more: some stores treat blessed and personalized items differently from other goods.

Disclosure: We earn a commission when you buy through some links, at no extra cost to you. We only link to shops we have a partner arrangement with, and we label those links as ads. We have not tested the stores or products mentioned.

Find out what it is made of

Descriptions use words such as "sterling silver", "gold tone", "gold plated" and "stainless steel" and they mean very different things. A "gold tone" or plated item has a thin surface layer over another metal, and it can wear. For solid precious metals, look for a stamp or hallmark in the listing. Our guide to buying jewelry online: metals and hallmarks explains what the marks mean and how to read a listing. For beads, check whether they are glass, wood, stone or plastic, and what the cord or chain is made of, because that is the part that wears first.

Check the size

Product photos make a rosary or cross look larger than it is. Look for the length in inches or centimeters, the bead size in millimeters, and the length of any chain. Compare it with a ruler at home. If you want a cross to sit at a certain place on the chest, measure the chain length against a piece of string.

Personalized and blessed items

Personalized and engraved items are usually made to order, so check the return terms before you add a name or a message. One US store of Catholic goods says in its returns terms that custom or personalized items are not eligible for return, and that no blessed items can be returned. If the item is a gift, check the spelling twice before you submit it. Last checked: 20 October 2026. Source: the store's returns and exchanges page.

Returns, damage and exchanges

The same store says items can be returned within 30 days of purchase if they are in original, undamaged, new condition and in their original packaging, with all parts of a set; customers generally pay return shipping, except for incorrect items; refunds are processed within 7 business days of receiving the return; damaged or defective items must be reported within 10 days of delivery; and there are no direct exchanges, so you return the item and place a new order. Shipping and gift wrap charges are non-refundable. Orders placed from 1 November to 31 December can be returned until 30 January of the following year. Other stores set different terms, so read them before you order. Last checked: 20 October 2026. Source: the store's returns and exchanges page.

Delivery costs

The store's shipping policy says free standard shipping applies automatically at checkout for subtotals of $100 or more after any discount, and only to the contiguous US. A promotion on its home page offered free shipping at $40 with a code, so check which offer applies to your order before you rely on either. Last checked: 20 October 2026. Source: the store's shipping policy page and home page.

If you are ordering from outside the store's delivery area, see our guide to customs duties and importing. If something goes wrong, our refunds and chargebacks guide explains the next steps.