Who does the ring legally belong to?

Question

My ex and I are in disagreement over who should keep a diamond ring.

We were together for 2 1/2 years and for my birthday he gave me a diamond ring (a "promise" ring). Eventually he broke up with me after a lot of relationship problems we were having cause by us both, but we managed to come out of it still friends. Then I joined the Army and because I was told I couldn't bring jewelry to basic, and I didn't feel comfortable bring something that valuable with me, I left it with him and told him when I was done with all my training and came back home I would get it back from him...he had no arguments. Well, I've been out of training for a while now and have asked him several times to give it back and he refuses. He said he believes it has more sentimental value to him than it does to me...like he has the right to presume how much it means to me. I am willing to do what's necessary to get it back if its legally mine. So who has the right to keep it?

It was NOT an engagement ring...I was never his fiancee.

And I KNOW he still has it, his sister told me yesterday he keeps it in his safe.

Answer 1

He is pathetic.

Answer 2

Doesn't sound like your friendship means as much as the ring. This is a power struggle. If you need the money and care so little for your friendship, why not just ask him to buy it back from you. In my opinion, it belongs to you, and in most court cases I've seen (on TV, I'm not an expert), a gift belongs to the recipient, once it is given. If it was a bday present, case closed. If it was a promise ring, and the promise was broken, then its a different story and why do you want to keep it anyway??? just so he can't? To make him suffer? The whole thing sounds like he AND you are being a bit immature and need to ask yourselves what's more important to you--the ring or the relationship. If you (and he) are that shallow then the sentimental value you think it has is little. Whoever keeps it is the winner in the silly battle, but as people you both lose a chance to be selfless and look at the big picture: when you have moved on, who will care about the stupid ring or the guy you didn't marry...your kids won't care or your grandkids....

Answer 3

This could get messy..and I will probably get tons of "thumbs down" marks for this, but here is my OPINION on the matter. If your ex boyfriend gave you this ring for your BIRTHDAY..it is a gift, and gifts do not need to be returned. If it was an ENGAGEMENT ring..on the other hand (which you said it wasn't, right?) then you'd have to give it back. The only reason I'm saying this is because this same situation happened to a cousin of mine three years ago. She and her fiance' broke off their engagement, and she refused to return the ring. Her fiance' took her to small-claims court over the stupid thing, and he won. The judge stated that the ring was symbolic of the intent to form a legally-binding relationship, and when this does not, or WILL not happen...the ring must be returned. I'm not sure I totally agree with that or not (I've never had to do it myself), but this is what the judge ruled..and why. Its a touchy subject..especially when $1000's of dollars have been spent on the "promise of a future." Remember, this is just my outlook on this, and I'm not even 100% for or against returning of rings.

Answer 4

Legally I don't know I am not a lawyer...yet. But I do watch a lot of Judge Judy. If there was no written agreement as to who is the lawful owner or a written agreement that specifies that after training it will once again be in your possession, I think it is up for grabs, but I advise you to speak to someone with a little more experience. In my opinion you should just give up the ring. What sentimental value is there in that ring?(although I don't have the right to question) The relationship was over and the memories not the material things matter, although I also think it is selfish to be an Indian giver. Ultimately let the scenario play out by itself and if legal action needs to be taken call Judge Judy!

Answer 5

In most instances, the guy who gave the ring gets to keep it if a marriage does not take place.

However, he told you he'd give it to you, then changed his mind. It also wasn't an engagement ring, per say.

I think you're better off without him. If it costs you a diamond ring to get him out of your life, so be it. It wouldn't have any value on the secondary market anyway (try taking a diamond ring to a pawn shop and see what they offer you - not much). So just forget the creep - use this argument as a way to tell him to buzz off and go on and live your life. :)

If he wants to sit and cry over that ring, let him. He might even give it to someone else. Then, if you find out about it, you've REALLY got him over a barrel. :)

Answer 6

He purchased the ring, but it was a GIFT. Because it was a gift to you and he doens't deny that he gave it to you, then you shouldn't have a problem getting it back from him.

What kinds of relationship problems were you having? Anything having to do with any abuse of alcohol or drugs? When I first started reading your question I wondered if maybe he sold the ring while you were gone. Have you even seen it?

I would take him to court! Even if the ring is gone, the judge can order you be reimbursed for the value of the ring.

Answer 7

If you aren't together anymore, and you're both comfortable with moving on, why do you want it? If you have the ring in your next relationship, it may cause some conflict.

Anyhow, he did purchase the ring, but it was a gift. If you told him to hold it for you until you came back, you would need to have it in writing, otherwise his receipt for the ring trumps your word over his. Good luck, and thank you for your service.

Answer 8

If this was a 25cent ring out of a gumball machine, would you have still asked this question, or is it the fact it is a diamond the only reason there is a question. That ring was given to you as a promise, and you accepted that ring as part of the promise, I feel that if you no longer are fulfilling your promise, you are not entitled to the ring, why would you want it anyway if you don't want to be with the person, why hold onto a bad memory, unless of course like I said, it is the power and value of the ring, not the ring itself. I was engaged to my ex for 3 years, and had a nice ring that I had given to her, when we split, she gave the ring back, it held no more value to her since it was a token of a promise we had made. If it means that much to you, you should still be with him.

Better yet, sell it and split the money, if he agrees, but I do not feel you have a right to it. In response to my last point, I also gave my ex back all her things she had given me, like a watch and a crystal figurine with our names engraved on it.

Answer 9

Man is always supreme but a women is always needed to make him the husband and her the wife to complete the meaning of a married life! Man has to be passionate, caring, loving and must stand with her at all odds and must get along with her, by giving in no doubtful measure the most wanted comfort, safety and security!

The moment he has decided to leave her in desperation and that too after having fathered a child or more, he can't be termed anymore as a human being !

In this condition of having lost his love for you, why you want to keep that idiot ring which did not signify or symbolize anything in terms of your love and life with him!

We do not face this tragedy of divorce or separation in most of the families, (precisely in 98% in India!), me married for last 12 years and my mom and dad married for last 39 years!

Answer 10

If there became no proposal and no engagement then the hoop won't be hers as an engagement ring. If it became a cutting-edge then it belongs to her. If because it sounds, the hoop became contingent upon a destiny proposal then on account that that did not ensue and would desire to not ensue, she would desire to return the hoop. in the event that they did have this dedicated understand-how and he became the only to interrupt it off, custom says she would be able to maintain the hoop. If she broke it off then she ought to return the hoop. on account that there became no proposal she would desire to truly provide it returned as she became merely protecting it till the time of the proposal, a time that's not likely to return around. Why carry onto the undesirable karma related to this ring alongside with the failed dating. return the hoop, be rid of the previous and circulate forward.

Answer 11

It was a gift and so it is yours to keep. Send him a letter asking for the return of the ring. Send it recorded delivery and keep a copy. Make sure you have given a date by which you want it returned. If it doesn,t come back issue a summons from the small claims court. that will shake him up.