At a Glance
- Calista Presti’s Kay Jewelers custom wedding ring began losing diamonds within weeks of her September wedding
- Her TikTok video documenting the issue has over 740,000 views and 2,000 comments
- Kay Jewelers has publicly responded and is working with her on a resolution
A Florida bride’s dream wedding ring turned into a nightmare when diamonds began falling out just weeks after her wedding, sparking a viral social media discussion about jewelry quality and customer service.
The Perfect Ring Falls Apart
Calista Presti, from Brooksville, Florida, thought she had the perfect wedding ring. Her husband had customized the ring through Kay Jewelers, working closely with her sisters to ensure every detail met her expectations. The result was exactly what she had hoped for, and both she and her husband were thrilled with the final product.
The problems began shortly after their late September wedding. Presti needed to send the ring back for resizing due to the fit feeling off because of the number of diamonds. When the ring returned, the issues started almost immediately.
“I get it back, I’m excited, I’m wearing it, one of the diamonds fell out of the band. I’m freaking out because I’ve had this ring probably a total of two weeks myself, and a diamond’s already falling out,” Presti explained in her TikTok video.
Multiple Trips to the Jeweler
Concerned about the loose diamond, Presti brought the ring back to Kay Jewelers for inspection. The employee examined the entire ring and discovered multiple issues.
“So I take it into Kays, she looks through the whole ring, and she’s like, girl, all of your clasps are loose, even your big diamonds loose, so we’re going to take both in, and we’re going to tighten them and make sure they’re secure,” Presti recalled.
After a week, when she picked up the ring again, an employee gave her specific instructions about when not to wear it. They advised against wearing the ring to bed, in the shower, or to work. Presti found this concerning, wondering when she was supposed to wear her wedding ring at all, but decided to follow their advice.
Diamonds Keep Falling
For the next two weeks, everything seemed fine. Then, as she was heading out to run errands, Presti decided to put the ring on. As she slid it onto her finger, she felt something move down her arm and quickly realized one of the diamonds had fallen out again.
“First time wearing it in days, just fell out,” she said.
Just weeks later, it happened again – another diamond fell out. “I’m afraid to even touch this thing,” Presti said, expressing her regret about the purchase. “If I look down and that big diamond’s gone, I’m not going to be happy. What do I do? Is it me? Am I crazy?”
Going Viral
Presti decided to share her experience on TikTok, where her video quickly went viral. The post has received over 740,000 views and more than 2,000 comments from people sharing their thoughts and similar experiences.
Speaking exclusively to News Of Los Angeles, Presti explained why she chose to share her story publicly.
“I genuinely didn’t know if this was happening to other women and their rings, if I was doing something wrong, and I wanted to know if not wearing your wedding rings daily was normal,” she said. “I felt that with the amount of money spent, I should be able to wear it often.”
She was surprised by the response. “I didn’t think in a million years my video would reach so many people, and I was shocked by how many women were going through the same thing.”
Kay Jewelers Responds
The viral video caught the attention of Kay Jewelers, who responded in the comments section.
“We’re so sorry to hear this. Please send us a direct message with your full name and contact information so that we can connect you with our team,” the company wrote on Presti’s post.
News Of Los Angeles has also reached out to Kay Jewelers for additional comment.
Working Toward a Solution
Since posting the video, Presti returned to Kay Jewelers to work on resolving the issue. She described the staff as “very accommodating and understanding.”
The jeweler offered her two options: getting a different band or adding extra prongs to her existing ring. After trying on new bands, none matched her original ring that she had grown attached to. They decided to add extra prongs to the smaller diamonds on both rings.
“They currently have my original ring,” Presti explained. “If something happens after this, I will either get a new one or go to a local jeweler.”
A Warning to Others
Presti hopes her experience serves as a cautionary tale for other couples planning to purchase wedding rings.
“I hope women and their husbands do their research before dishing out loads of money,” she advised.
Despite working toward a resolution, Presti remains frustrated about her limited ability to enjoy her rings. “I’ve barely been able to enjoy my rings and have hardly worn them,” she said. “I hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel soon and that I can wear them every day!”
The situation highlights the importance of researching jewelry retailers and understanding warranty and repair policies before making such significant purchases. For Presti, the emotional value of her custom wedding ring remains strong, even as she navigates these ongoing quality issues.
