My mom says to make it into a necklace. It's creating something beautiful out of a bad experience! I gave mine back, though.

Not accurate. Whenever this situation is presented on every single "Judge________" show I've ever seen, the woman has to give back the engagement ring. Doesn't matter if the ring was given on a holiday or a regular day, who broke the relationship off, or why the engagement ended, the ring goes back to the one that purchased it. The judge always says that the engagement ring indicates that a marriage is to take place and if it doesn't, the ring is returned to the giver of it.

no, that's inaccurate. u don't have to return gifts,

Sorry, you are incorrect. An engagement ring is inextricably tied to an impending marriage. It's not a gift. If the marriage doesn't occur for whatever reason, the ring is returned to the giver. The man would easily win in court and get the ring back if the OP refused to return it to him. If a ring is given without the intent that a marriage will occur (no proposal, no strings), it is a gift. After the marriage is a done deal, both parties have fulfilled the marital obligation connected with the ring. It can then be kept by the woman should a divorce occur (unless there's some clause in a pre-nup requiring the ring's return to the husband -- say, because it is a family heirloom).

@123, is that a legal opinion from a liscensed lawyer? Personally, I think the party who has been wronged should keep the ring. He screwed up, she keeps it. She cheats, he gets it.

If it was up to me, I'd let her keep the ring. Afterall, giving it back would simply add insult to injury. However, the ring came with strings attached (marriage), so if the wedding isn't going to happen, the ring isn't hers to keep. She may be able to persuade the giver to let her keep it (say, in exchange for her agreeing not to sue him for 1/2 the reception hall deposit).

I stand corrected. I googled this

@125, yes #123 is correct, that is the legality of the situation.

@164: Thanks!

WIN

Eh, for some people it's not worth the fight. Sometimes, it just gets to the point where it's not worth anything to you, anymore. In this case, I would tell him he could have it back as soon as he reimbursed her for her part of the reception deposit.