Massachusetts courts have held that an engagement ring is in the nature of a pledge, given on the implied condition that the marriage shall take place.  If the contract to marry is terminated without fault on the part of the donor he may recover the ring.[1]

In Poirier v. Raad, the court opined that where a ring is given in contemplation of marriage, it may be a gift in the nature of a pledge, given upon the implied condition that the marriage occurs.[2]  The court held that where an engagement is terminated without the fault of the donor, he may recover the ring.

[1] De Cicco v. Barker, 339 Mass. 457 (Mass. 1959)

[2] Poirier v. Raad, 3 Mass. L. Rep. 265 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1995)