Most states hold that an engagement ring is a conditional gift given in contemplation of marriage and that marriage is an implied condition of the transfer of ownership of the ring. However, most of these states will not require return of the engagement ring unless the recipient of the ring was at fault in causing the engagement to terminate. California and Missouri are such states.

A minority of the conditional gift states do not require a showing of fault (Kansas and Minnesota are no-fault states). In these states, the engagement ring must be returned regardless of who was responsible for terminating the engagement.

In the remaining states, such as Montana, engagement rings are considered to be unconditional, completed gifts regardless if the engagement is broken. Therefore, the donor of the ring is never entitled to return of the ring in these states.

Always check the laws in your particular state and consult with legal counsel prior to filing a claim for the return on an engagement ring.