If you are given an engagement ring....?

Question

....and later on break up with that person......should you keep it or give it back?

Answer 1

I've always heard the rule.

If you break up the relationship give it back to him

If he broke up the relationship, pawn it, you wouldn't want future partners to inquire about that ring and start wondering why you still have it.

Answer 2

That's a toughie because technically it was a gift and you don't return gifts. However, an engagement ring is a promise of things to come -such as marriage, and if that marriage didn't happen, yes, I would be inclined to give the ring back - just because I wouldn't want it anymore as a reminder of something that didn't happen. I have a girlfriend who refused to give an engagement ring back - she sold it and kept the money. I, myself, was in a serious relationship a few years back and received a promise ring - I tried to give it back to my ex boyfriend when I broke up with him, but he insisted that I keep it as a means for remembering him. I'm married now and I still have the ring - my Mom keeps it. I would never wear it.

I think the best thing would be to return it.

Answer 3

I think that depends on the sort of breakup that is experienced. However, if the boy asks for the ring back, then certainly give it back. You don't want to end up in small claims court. The meaning the ring had is not there any longer, so why haggle over a bit of gold with no significance? If he never asks for it back, you should just keep it as a memento of past good times, but then go out and concentrate on looking for the real mister right. Good luck!

Answer 4

Give it back!! They say that by the laws in some states it has to go back. The ring is just a promise of marriage. And if you do break up before the wedding it has to go back. Personally I would rather give it back, it's not like I could use it for the next guy!

Answer 5

Unless you actually went through with the marriage agreement (which the ring signifies) before the breakup, then do give it back. An engagement ring is given as a promise of marriage, and if that doesn't happen it really should be returned.

Of course, if he doesn't want it back, by all means keep it or pawn it, or whatever.

Answer 6

That ring was given with the intent of a promise that you would marry him. The promise did not go through so the ring has to be returned. If it was a ring that was just a gift and not meant as an engagement ring then you could keep it.

Answer 7

If you broke the engagement, you will be legally obligated to give it back. He gave you the ring on the condition of marriage - think of it as collateral for a binding contract. If the contract is broken or does not go through, you must give it back.

Besides the legality - the only way I'd say you should keep it is if he did something horrible and ended the relationship. However, as you are the one ending it, give it back to the poor guy.

Answer 8

The law says that it is a gift and legally you can keep it.

If you break up on good terms, it is a nice gesture to give it back.

If the guy is a big $%^@, then keep it or pawn it like the other person said. If the ring is big enough, sell it and use the money to take a vacation or cruise to get over it.

Answer 9

Be careful.....in some states its the law that you give back the ring.

For example, the state I live in says that if you don't actually marry the man that gave you the ring, you aren't holding up your end of the "contract" and the ring still belongs to him. If you don't give it back, he can take you to court or call the cops and there isn't anything you can do about it.

Save yourself a big mess and give it back.

Answer 10

I say keep it, because it was a gift. If you have to give that back, then you and him should give each and every little thing that you have given each other back. But at the same time, it depends on how the breakup happened. If it was something extremely awful, and you don't want anything to remind you of the person, than give the ring back.