My engagement ring was sold to my father by a divorcee who couldn't stand to look at it.

It became my mother's engagement ring, preceeding their decades-long marriage.

Although I don't wear it because I hate wearing rings, it is in a careful and special place where it has lived through my 20 year plus marriage.

I have no children to pass it on to, but I have to admit that if a younger relative couldn't afford an engagement ring, I would be tempted.

In other words, no, it's not unlucky to pass on an engagement ring you no longer want, because mine has marked not one, but two successful marriages and I hope that it will mark more in the future, whether I pass it on while alive or whether I leave it to whoever has the most kids who might need it in my will ;). (Maybe my brother-in-law, who's wife is carrying TWO boys).