Mood rings are jewelry pieces that feature a thermochromic liquid crystal that changes color in response to the body’s temperature variations. The color changes are said to indicate the wearer’s mood or emotions. When a mood ring turns blue, it typically signals that the wearer is relaxed, calm, and meditative.
How Mood Rings Work
Mood rings contain thermochromic liquid crystals that are very sensitive to changes in temperature. The crystals are sealed underneath the stone of the ring. When worn on the finger, the ring responds to even minute fluctuations in your body temperature by changing color. Here’s a bit more on how it works:
- Thermochromic liquid crystals contain molecules arranged in a helical structure. When heated, these molecules unwind and reflect light differently, causing color changes.
- The body’s surface temperature varies depending on emotional and physiological factors. Changes in blood flow to the extremities, perspiration, and dilation of blood vessels can impact the temperature.
- The mood ring absorbs and reflects light differently as the temperature of your finger changes, resulting in an observable shift in color.
So in essence, the thermochromic crystals serve as a visual indicator of your body’s subtle temperature changes that correlate with different emotional states.
What Does Blue Mean on a Mood Ring?
There is no universally accepted color guide for mood rings. However, most manufacturers provide a color chart that links various colors to supposed moods or emotions. According to these standard color interpretations, blue on a mood ring generally signals that the wearer is relaxed and calm.
Here are some of the common meanings associated with a blue mood ring:
- Relaxed, peaceful, and tranquil emotional state
- Calm, composed, and balanced mood
- Low-stress mental state
- Meditative, contemplative, and reflective frame of mind
- Serene, patient, and centered outlook
A blue mood ring reflects cooler body temperature and stable blood flow to the extremities. That’s why it corresponds with a calm and relaxed state. In contrast, colors like red, yellow, or green typically signify excitement, passion, stress, anxiety, or other intense emotions.
What Causes the Blue Color Change?
For a mood ring to turn blue, your body temperature needs to drop within a specific range that’s generally between 89-92°F or 31-33°C. Here are some reasons why the ring may turn blue on your finger:
- You are in a resting state and feeling peaceful
- Engaging in relaxing or meditative activities
- Sitting or lying down in cooler ambient temperatures
- Experiencing lower stress levels and blood pressure
- Coming out of an anxious or angry state
- Suffering from poor circulation or low blood pressure
The blue color essentially reflects stable vitals and a calm state of mind. Of course, mood rings are not capable of detecting your actual emotions. But they can serve as interesting visual cues to promote self-reflection on your mindset and feelings.
Typical Blue Mood Ring Color Gradient
Mood ring colors exist on a gradient. As your finger temperature decreases or increases, the blue can shift in tone and lightness. Here are some common blue shades and their associated meanings:
| Blue shade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dark blue | Tranquil, relaxed, reflective |
| Medium blue | Calm, peaceful, steady |
| Light blue | Carefree, low-stress |
| Navy blue | Contemplative, meditative |
| Blue-green | Balanced, composed |
So in summary, the intensity and lightness of the blue gives you further insight into your current mindset based on mood ring interpretations.
When Does a Mood Ring Not Turn Blue?
There are certain situations and scenarios that can prevent your mood ring from turning blue:
- High levels of stress, anxiety, anger, excitement, passion, or other intense emotions leading to elevated body temperature
- Strenuous physical activities like exercise or sports raising blood circulation and skin temperature
- Exposure to external heat sources like sun, hot weather, saunas, heating pads etc. heating up the ring
- Fever or inflammation causing increased body temperature
- Wearing the ring on a finger with poor circulation
- Defective thermochromic crystals incapable of displaying the color blue
So in circumstances where your body temperature does not drop within the range for blue, the mood ring will display a different color on the gradient.
Enhancing the Blue Color Change
If you want to see more blue color changes on your mood ring, here are some tips:
- Engage in relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or listening to calming music
- Find a quiet spot, sit down, and clear your mind of stress and worries
- Wear the ring on a finger with good circulation, like the index or middle finger
- Remove the ring before exercising, sunbathing, or entering hot areas
- Test the ring at different times of day when your body temperature varies
- Compare normal room temperature to cold air exposure from A/C or a fan
With some mindful experiments, you can learn what specific activities and environments elicit the elusive blue color change on your mood ring!
Conclusion
A blue color on a mood ring generally correlates with a relaxed, calm emotional state free of stress or anxiety. The thermochromic crystals turn blue in response to a drop in body temperature within a certain range. While mood rings have their limitations, they can help promote self-awareness of your shifting emotions. With the right conditions, you can get the ring to turn blue more often and enjoy the peaceful state of mind it represents.
