Mood rings first became popular in the 1970s as a way for people to get a sense of their emotional state based on the color of the ring. The rings contain thermochromic liquid crystals that change colors based on the temperature of your skin. While mood rings may not provide an accurate scientific analysis of your mood, they can be fun and interesting to wear. So what do the different colors in a mood ring mean?
How Mood Rings Work
A mood ring contains heat-sensitive liquid crystals encased in quartz or glass. The most common type of liquid crystals used are made up of silica dioxide, an inorganic compound that reacts to changes in temperature. When the crystals are heated by contact with your skin, they twist and change reflectance, resulting in a color change. A mood ring is essentially a customizable thermometer that reflects your body temperature.
Your skin temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the day, which is what causes the mood ring to change colors. Factors like blood circulation, mood, environment, and activity levels can all impact your skin temperature. When you’re stressed or anxious, your body diverts blood away from your extremities to support your vital organs, causing your hands to become cooler. On the other hand, increased blood flow warms your skin and causes the mood ring to shift to a warmer color. While mood rings don’t actually detect your mood, the color changes reflect physiological responses associated with different emotions.
Mood Ring Color Meanings
While mood ring colors can vary slightly based on the manufacturer, here are the most common meanings associated with mood ring colors:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Black | Stressed, tense, nervous |
| Blue | Calm, relaxed, centered |
| Green | Normal, balanced |
| Yellow | Excited, energized, creative |
| Brown | Sensitive, sentimental, romantic |
| Grey | Sad, depressed, lethargic |
| Purple | Passionate, loving, sensual |
| Amber | Happy, confident, optimistic |
As you can see, cooler colors like blue and green indicate a more relaxed, balanced mood state, while warmer colors like yellow, amber and purple reflect more active emotions. Keep in mind that a single color change doesn’t necessarily mean your entire mood has shifted – mood rings provide general insight, not an exact science.
What Affects Mood Ring Colors?
There are many factors that can alter your hand temperature and cause your mood ring’s color to change, including:
- Room temperature – Hot or cold environments will impact the ring’s color.
- Blood circulation – Decreased circulation makes hands cooler.
- Stress level – Stress diverts blood flow, cooling hands.
- Hydration – Dehydration reduces blood volume and flow.
- Exercise – Gets blood pumping, warming hands.
- Time of day – Morning hands are often cooler.
- Weather – Cold weather cools hands down.
- Illness – Fevers warm, chills cool hands.
- Emotions – Anxiety cools, excitement warms hands.
So before interpreting your mood ring color, consider whether any environmental or physiological factors could be affecting it. Wearing it on your non-dominant hand can also provide a more accurate reading.
The History of Mood Rings
The origin story of the mood ring begins in 1975, when New York inventor Joshua Reynolds partnered with a colleague to develop a ring containing heat-sensitive liquid crystals. Reynolds brought his design to several New York jewelry companies, who turned him away thinking the ring was just a fad.
Eventually, Reynolds caught the attention of jewelry company Carlisle Ltd. in Manhattan. They began manufacturing the rings under the name “Mood Ring” and heavily promoting the product. Carlisle priced the rings at $45-50 each and placed them in upscale jewelry stores, pitching them as a fashion accessory that “lets your jewelry reflect your daily moods.”
The marketing worked, and soon mood rings were appearing on celebrities and throughout pop culture. Demand skyrocketed, with rings flying off jewelry store shelves across America. Over one million rings were sold within the first few months. By late 1975, the mood ring craze had gone international, spreading throughout Europe and Asia.
However, imitators soon flooded the market with cheap knockoff rings. This influx of poor quality mood rings diminished their novelty and perceived value. Within a couple years the initial craze had died down. But mood rings never fully went away. They remain popular today as fun fashion accessories and nostalgic throwback items.
How Accurate Are Mood Rings?
Mood rings are more of a novelty item than a scientific mood analysis tool. There are several reasons why their readings aren’t highly accurate:
- Many factors besides emotions affect skin temperature.
- Room temperature impacts the baseline color.
- Readings can vary based on ring placement.
- Cheap models use low-quality thermochromic material.
- Colors reflect general states, not specific moods.
However, some studies have suggested mood rings can accurately detect more pronounced mood shifts, like between feeling calm versus stressed. But subtle mood fluctuations are unlikely to trigger noticeable color changes.
Overall, mood ring colors should be interpreted loosely as rough indicators of your general state, not precise reflections of complex emotions. Approach them for entertainment, not scientific analysis. Their main value is causing self-reflection on your current mood and emotional influences.
Tips for Best Mood Ring Results
Follow these tips to get the most accurate and consistent readings from your mood ring:
- Wear it on the same finger every time.
- Let your hand acclimate before interpreting colors.
- Keep your hand still when reading it.
- Consider environmental factors.
- Wear for several days to establish a color baseline.
- Take readings when relaxed.
- Compare readings on both hands.
- Hydrate well to enable blood flow.
Avoid wearing other rings on the same finger as they can interfere with skin contact. Quality matters, so purchase from a reputable brand for best results.
Conclusion
Mood rings offer a fun way to get a general sense of your emotional state based on color changes. While they aren’t scientifically accurate, the color meanings provide insight into associated moods. Colder colors suggest calmness and low stress, while warmer hues reflect excitement and passion. Many factors beyond emotions can alter hand temperature and ring colors though.
Approach mood rings lightheartedly, knowing they have limitations. But do use them to spark personal reflection on your current mood and how to take care of yourself emotionally. Combining the readings with your own self-knowledge can provide an interesting angle for checking in with yourself each day!
