Minnesota law is very clear on this point. If an engagement ring was given prior to the marriage, and a marriage subsequently took place, then the engagement ring is the non-marital property of the recipient, and the giver has no right to any of it’s value. [1]

This is in contrast to gifts of jewelry between spouses during the marriage, which remain marital property. [2]

Footnotes:
1. Linderman v. Linderman, 364 N.W.2d 872, 877 (Minn.Ct.App. 1985) [engagement ring and wedding band are recipients’ pre-marital property].
2. Minnesota Statute section 518.003, Subdivision 3b(a).