Originally Posted by
Shell_Lee
In short - YES
An engagement ring (as NOhelp4u) put it, is a conditional gift. Since you are not getting married, the ring needs to be returned.
Sorry, but you are not legally correct in all States (I am not discussing any sort of moral obligation, that's for relationship threads). The Courts have made binding decisions (case law) on all of the following:
In SOME States the ring is conditional upon the marriage - no marriage, return the ring: Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, NJ, NM, NY, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.
In California if HE breaks the engagement SHE gets to keep the ring. If SHE breaks the engagement, he gets it back.
In Montana a ring is not a conditional gift, it is given freely, and it does not be returned.
The others are at the Judge's discretion (if it goes that far).