Kim Kardashian recently revealed that she had to return her engagement ring to Kris Humphries following their divorce, despite claiming she had paid for most of it.
In an episode of The Kardashians, the reality star shared that surrendering the 18-carat emerald-cut diamond ring was part of her 2013 divorce settlement. Humphries later auctioned it off for £578, 000, with his representative confirming it was legally his property following the dissolution of their marriage.
Kim’s revelation reignites a long-standing debate: should women return their engagement rings if the relationship ends? Opinions are split, with legal, ethical, and emotional arguments all coming into play.
Legally, engagement rings are often considered conditional gifts, meaning they are given with the expectation that marriage will take place. If the wedding is called off, courts in many places, including several U. S. states, have ruled that the ring should be returned to the giver.
However, laws vary by location and circumstances. Some states follow a no-fault rule, meaning the reason for the breakup doesn’t impact whether the ring is returned. In contrast, other legal systems consider who was responsible for ending the engagement.
In the UK, the law takes a slightly different stance. Under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, an engagement ring is considered an absolute gift unless there is an explicit agreement that it should be returned if the marriage does not take place. This means that, in most cases, the recipient has no legal obligation to return the ring.
However, if the ring is a family heirloom, courts may rule that it should be returned to the giver, particularly if there is evidence that it was given with the expectation of being passed down through generations.
Beyond the legal framework, personal beliefs shape how people view this issue. Many believe that returning the ring is simply the right thing to do. Reddit users debating this topic on a thread titled ‘ Return engagement ring after breakup? ‘ largely agreed that the ring should be given back.
Would you return your engagement ring if the relationship ends? Let us know in the comments.
One user stated: “An engagement ring is given in contemplation of marriage, therefore it’s classified as a conditional gift. If the marriage doesn’t take place, then the ring should be returned to the giver”. While others were more direct, with one user bluntly advising, “Definitely return the ring and get some therapy, girl”.
On the other hand, some argue that an engagement ring is a gift given freely, without conditions. One Redditor countered: “If it’s a family heirloom, I’d say yes, return it. But if not, expecting it back seems petty in my opinion. It’s a gift, not a contract”.
Another one user suggested the circumstances of the breakup should play a role: “If it was amicable, I’d personally want to give the ring back anyway, as in my eyes it’s part of a condition of marrying that person. However, if the guy had cheated, then I think the girl is well within her right to keep the ring, lol”!
Dating and relationship expert, and the founder of So What, a female self empowerment community, Hope Flynn, agrees that context is key. Telling the Mirror: “Whether or not a woman should give back her engagement ring after a breakup or divorce is really a personal decision – there’s no one size fits all answer for this. It really depends on the people involved and how they feel about it”.
Flynn adds: “Some might see the ring as a gift and choose to keep it or even sell it, while others feel it should be returned, especially if the wedding didn’t happen”. She continues: “Personally, I think if the ring is a family heirloom, like his grandmother’s ring, then it should definitely be given back. It’s more than just a piece of jewellery as it holds sentimental value to him and his family and I think that should be respected. At the end of the day it’s about what feels right to you and the situation you’re in”.
