Mood rings are a fun and interesting way to get a general sense of your mood or emotional state. The different colors displayed on a mood ring correspond with different emotions or moods. So by reading the color displayed on the mood ring, you can get an idea of what mood you might be in.
What is a Mood Ring?
A mood ring is a specialized ring that contains thermochromic liquid crystals inside the stone or band that are heat sensitive and change colors based on subtle changes in body temperature. The liquid crystals inside the ring react and shift their structure when the temperature of your skin changes. Each color the ring displays corresponds with a different emotion or mood.
The liquid crystals in a mood ring are sealed inside a clear dome-shaped capsule, glass stone, or plastic window on the ring itself. When you wear the mood ring, it reacts to the heat of your skin beneath it and changes colors accordingly. Finger temperature tends to fluctuate slightly when your emotions change. So the mood ring can monitor these subtle shifts in body temperature and reflect your emotions through color.
How Do Mood Rings Work?
Mood rings work by utilizing liquid crystals inside the ring that change colors based on temperature. Here’s a bit more about how mood rings work:
- Thermochromic liquid crystals – These are temperature sensitive liquid crystals sealed inside the ring. They are designed to change colors at slight temperature shifts.
- Body heat transfers to ring – When worn, the heat from your skin transfers to the thermochromic crystals in the ring.
- Crystals change color – The heat makes the liquid crystals change to different colors based on your current skin temperature.
- Color indicates mood – Each color the crystals change to relates to a particular mood or emotion.
So as your body temperature fluctuates slightly based on emotional shifts, the thermochromic crystals react by changing to colors that correspond with different moods. The color changes are subtle, but noticeable enough to get a general sense of your emotional state.
Standard Mood Ring Color Meanings
While there can be some variation depending on the specific mood ring, these are the most common standard colors and mood associations:
| Mood Ring Color | Associated Mood or Emotion |
|---|---|
| Black or Gray | Stressed, Tense, Nervous |
| Blue | Relaxed, Calm |
| Green | Normal, Neutral |
| Yellow or Amber | Excited, Happy, Passionate |
| Brown or Bronze | Focused, Concentrating |
| Violet | Romantic, Flirtatious |
So by remembering this color key, you can get an idea of your general mood by checking the color your mood ring displays. While not scientifically accurate, mood rings are fun mood accessories.
Why Do Mood Ring Colors Change?
The mood ring colors change due to thermochromic liquid crystals inside the ring that are heat-sensitive. Here’s a bit more on why and how the colors shift:
- Body temperature shifts – Your finger temperature shifts slightly based on changes in blood flow related to emotion.
- Heat transfers to ring – When worn, the heat from your skin transfers to the thermochromic crystals.
- Crystals react – The liquid crystals are calibrated to change colors at precise temperature thresholds.
- Colors correspond to moods – Each color the crystals change to relates to a particular emotion.
So as your body temperature goes up or down a degree or two based on mood, the calibrated crystals change color in reaction. This color change is what allows the ring to reflect changes in your emotions through different colors.
Do Mood Ring Colors Really Reflect Your Mood?
While mood rings can provide a general indication of your mood, the colors and mood associations are not scientifically proven. Here are some important things to keep in mind about the accuracy of mood ring colors:
- General sense, not exact – The colors give you a rough sense of your mood, not an exact diagnosis.
- Not medically accurate – Mood rings are not medically certified or accurate mood indicators.
- Many factors affect temperature – Stress, weather, indoor/outdoor and many other things affect your finger temp.
- Personal variation – Everyone’s body temperature may fluctuate differently with moods.
So while mood rings are fun novelty items, they cannot necessarily give you medically sound information on your moods. Take the colors as general guidelines, but do not rely on them as absolute proof of your emotions. Moods are complex and rings are simplistic indicators.
How to Get Accurate Mood Ring Readings
While mood ring colors may not be scientifically precise, you can take some steps to get the most accurate readings possible from your ring:
- Wear it regularly – This helps the ring calibrate to your finger’s temperature.
- Wear on bare skin – Coverings disrupt the temperature reading so wear directly on your finger.
- Give it time – Wait a minute or two after putting on before reading color.
- Sit calmly – Try to be in a neutral state in consistent conditions to get a baseline.
- Be self-aware – Note your mood and compare to what the ring displays.
With regular wear, comparisons to your own mood awareness, and optimal conditions, you may get better accuracy from your mood ring. But there will likely still be many discrepancies due to the simplistic nature of the technology.
The History of Mood Rings
Mood rings first emerged in the 1970s as a novelty jewelry fad and remained popular through the 1980s and beyond. Here’s a quick look at the history of these mystic rings:
- 1970 – First mood rings invented using liquid crystals.
- 1975 – Mood ring popularity peaks as novelty jewelry fad.
- 1980s – Mood rings remain popular accessory through the 80s.
- 1990s – Mood rings fade from popularity as fad wears off.
- 2000s – Some renewed interest in mood rings as retro accessory.
- Today – Mood rings sold as novelty items and costume jewelry.
While not as universally popular as they were in the 70s and 80s, mood rings can still be purchased today as novelty accessories. Some people still enjoy the nostalgic fun of the color-changing rings.
Tips for Wearing and Caring for Your Mood Ring
To help your mood ring last and function properly, keep these useful care tips in mind:
- Avoid extreme temps – Heat or cold can damage the thermochromic crystals.
- Take off before showering/swimming – Water can get under crystal and cause fogging.
- Store in room temperature – Don’t leave in very hot or cold places.
- Avoid chemicals – Things like hand sanitizer, cleaners, etc can damage the ring.
- Protect from impacts – Dropping or hitting the ring can crack the crystal and break seal.
- Don’t pick at seal – This could let air in and disrupt crystal function.
With reasonable care and regular proper wear, your mood ring can provide years of amusing color changes and mood guesses for you to enjoy!
Fun Uses for Mood Rings
While mood rings are mainly just novelty accessories, you can use them in some fun and interesting ways as well. Here are some possibilities:
- Party icebreaker – Have guests wear rings and mingle based on ring colors.
- Self-awareness tool – Keep a mood journal tracking your ring colors.
- Creative inspiration – Write stories or poems inspired by your ring’s changing colors.
- Meditation aid – Focus on changing your ring color through breathing/mindfulness.
- Mood grup gathering – Get together with friends and compare ring colors.
- Daily check-in – Make checking and reflecting on your ring color part of your routine.
Think creatively and you can likely find all kinds of possibilities to make your mood ring more than just a passive accessory. Have fun with it!
Conclusion
Mood rings offer a fun, if unscientific, way to get a general sense of your shifting emotions through color changes. While the mood associations of the colors aren’t medically reliable, mood rings can still provide amusement and self-awareness if used thoughtfully. Pay attention to your ring’s changing colors and you may just learn a bit more about yourself in the process!
