What can happen to engagement rings if a marriage does not take place?

When considering engagement rings in the context of a broken engagement, the prevailing legal principle is generally that the recipient of the engagement ring can recover the ring if the marriage does not take place. This viewpoint aligns with the understanding that engagement rings are often viewed as gifts conditioned upon the marriage occurring; hence, if the marriage does not occur, the conditional gift can be reclaimed by the giver.

In many jurisdictions, particularly where traditional gift law applies, the ring is legally considered a gift given with the expectation of marriage. If that condition is not fulfilled, the giver has the right to reclaim the ring. This principle is reinforced by the rationale that the engagement serves as a promise for marriage, and when that promise is no longer valid, so too is the obligation attached to the gift.

Other options may reflect different understandings or cultural practices, but the most widely accepted legal perspective supports the idea that the recipient of the engagement ring is entitled to return it to the giver, making recovery the correct conclusion in this scenario.