Mood necklaces, also known as mood rings, are pieces of jewelry that are meant to indicate the emotional state or mood of the wearer based on the color displayed. The original mood necklaces were rings, but the term has expanded to include necklaces as well. The changing colors are achieved through the use of thermochromic liquid crystals inside the jewelry that react to the temperature of the skin. As the temperature of the skin changes, the crystals change color. While mood necklaces can be fun novelty items, they do not necessarily accurately reflect emotion or mood. However, the colors are intended to correspond to different emotional states.
How Mood Necklaces Work
Mood necklaces and rings contain thermochromic liquid crystals encased in quartz or glass. These crystals are temperature sensitive and change color based on the heat they are exposed to. The crystals are preset to change colors at specific temperatures that correlate to different emotions based on variations in skin temperature. When worn on the finger or against the skin on the neck, the crystals react to the wearer’s body heat. As the skin temperature changes, the crystals change color in response.
The original mood ring was created in 1975 by Josh Reynolds and Maris Ambats. They worked with a New York company called Dichromatic to develop rings using liquid crystals that responded to temperature changes. The mood ring craze became hugely popular in the 1970s, with millions of rings sold. While interest declined in subsequent decades, mood rings continue to be sold as novelty items. Modern mood rings work on the same basic principle as the original 1970s version but have been updated with new thermochromic liquid crystal technology.
How Skin Temperature Relates to Mood
Mood necklaces and rings operate under the theory that skin temperature can correlate with emotion. When someone experiences stress, excitement, change in health, or passion, subtle shifts in body temperature can occur. However, the science behind using skin temperature as an accurate indicator of mood and emotion is considered limited. Skin temperature can fluctuate for many reasons unrelated to mood, like air temperature and blood flow. Emotions are also complex psychological and biological experiences that can’t be easily narrowed down to simple color changes.
While mood jewelry is more of a novelty than a scientific mood reader, the color meanings are intended to correspond to emotional states as follows:
| Color | Meaning |
| Black | Tense, stressed |
| Blue | Calm, relaxed |
| Green | Normal, balanced |
| Yellow | Happy, optimistic |
| Brown | Insecure, anxious |
| Orange | Excited, energetic |
| Purple | Passionate |
| Red | Angry, aggressive |
| Grey | Sad, depressed |
These color meanings can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but generally follow this pattern. However, mood necklaces should be considered a novelty item rather than an accurate psychological analysis tool.
Popular Mood Necklace Color Meanings
While mood necklaces come in many different styles and color combinations, some of the more common color meanings include:
Black Mood Necklaces
A black mood necklace is intended to represent stress or tension. As the body heats up due to stress, the black crystals will appear. Black is thought to signal uneasy moods, anxiety, or being overwhelmed. However, black mood jewelry could also indicate positive stress like excitement.
Blue Mood Necklaces
The blue color is meant to signify calmness and relaxation. As the body cools down to a relaxed state, blue crystals appear. Blue represents tranquility, serenity, and contentment. A blue mood can indicate being level-headed and peaceful.
Green Mood Necklaces
Green is considered the baseline color for balanced moods and normal emotion. When the skin is at its typical temperature, the crystals will turn green. Green shows a moderate, stable mood, lacking intense highs or lows. It’s associated with harmony, hope, and renewal.
Yellow Mood Necklaces
A bright yellow color is said to represent happiness and optimism. Yellow appears when skin temperature rises due to positive excitement. The yellow is meant to indicate sunny, cheerful, enthusiastic moods and emotions. It can also signify creativity, confidence, and inspiration.
Purple Mood Necklaces
Purple mood jewelry is intended to reflect love, romance, and passion. As body temperature rises due to being in love or feeling sensual, the purple hue will emerge. Purple signifies magical, compassionate moods and soulful emotions. It also represents imagination and spirituality.
Considerations When Wearing Mood Necklaces
While mood necklaces are novelty items not backed by rigorous science, they can still be fun accessories. Here are some tips for wearing mood jewelry:
– Wear the necklace against bare skin underneath clothing for the most accurate reading. Hand temperature will change faster than chest temperature.
– Give the necklace 10-15 minutes to acclimate to your body temperature before interpreting the color.
– Understand that colors can change rapidly with shifts in activity level, stress, room temperature, etc. Moods don’t instantly fluctuate.
– Take the colors lightly, realizing your emotions are more complex than a single color. Don’t let the necklace dictate your mood.
– Avoid wearing mood rings during activities like swimming or sunbathing as extremes of cold and heat can damage the thermochromic crystals.
– Consider wearing a mood necklace as a conversation starter about emotions, but avoid using it as a genuine psychological analysis.
The History and Popularity of Mood Necklaces
Mood jewelry has been a cultural phenomenon since its beginnings in the 1970s. Here is some history on their origins and popularity over time:
– 1975: Original mood ring invented by Josh Reynolds and Maris Ambats using liquid crystal technology. They partnered with Dichromatic to manufacture the rings.
– 1975-1979: Mood rings explode onto the pop culture scene, becoming one of the biggest fad trends of the 1970s. Estimates suggest 2-5 million rings were sold during the height of their popularity.
– Late 1970s: Interest in mood rings started to wane as the fad ran its course. However, mood rings remained available as novelty items.
– 1980s: Mood jewelry experienced occasional resurgences with new pop culture trends like New Age spiritualism. Rings featured more elaborate adjustable metal bands.
– 1990s-2000s: Mood rings sustained niche popularity as retro throwback items and toys. Some mood rings incorporated digital timers to enhance color effects.
– 2010s-present: Mood jewelry expands into necklaces, bracelets, and other styles. New thermochromic technology allows more color combinations. Mood rings retain kitschy appeal.
While they may never reach the peak fervor of the 1970s, mood rings and necklaces continue to amuse each generation as fun, inventive accessories. Their allure connects back to the intrinsic human desire to understand emotions and moods.
Conclusion
Mood necklaces and rings contain thermochromic liquid crystals that change color based on skin temperature. The different colors are intended to represent various emotional states, although the accuracy can be questionable. Most mood jewelry follows color meanings like blue for calm, purple for passion, and yellow for joy. While mood necklaces are novelty items, they can be entertaining accessories when worn lightly. Their origins trace back to 1970s pop culture, but they continue to fascinate people today. Mood necklaces let the wearer participate in the mystique of emotions expressed through color. Just enjoy the experience, keeping in mind that moods involve many complex factors, not just skin temperature.
