Mood rings were invented in 1975 by two inventors from New York; Maris Ambats and Josh Reynolds. They designed and sold the first prototypes to Bonwit Teller, a retail bigwig. Because they were a completely novel idea at the time, the first mood rings were not cheap plastic trinkets.
Back then, to make mood rings, liquid crystals were sealed inside the dome. These crystals change color with changes in the wearer’s body temperature. Today, while some mood rings may have different components, the way they work and their purpose remains the same.
So, what do the colors of a mood ring mean? And how does a mood ring work exactly?🧐
Well, if these are some of the questions you have been wondering about, this article will cover all that and more. It features information on mood rings as well as some commonly asked questions to help you learn more about this piece of jewelry.
Table of Contents
The science behind mood rings🔬
Origin and history of mood rings
As mentioned earlier, mood rings were invented in the 70s. They became a massive trend within that period. Since then, two popular theories have come up trying to explain the origin of mood rings.
The first story goes that two inventors, Josh and Maris, bound liquid crystals and clear quartz into rings. This gave birth to the concept of mood rings.
The second slightly more interesting story goes that a jeweler called Marvin Wernick is the real inventor of the mood ring. He conceived the idea in the 60s after accompanying his doctor friend to an emergency call where he observed him using a thermotropic strip to check his patient's temperature. There and then Marvin got the idea of mood rings.
As mood rings became more popular, more and more people wanted to make money off them. Many popular jewelry companies picked the trend and started manufacturing their own versions. The materials of these pieces kept going diversified, from gold mood rings and sterling silver mood rings to plastic mood rings.
By the end of the 90s, mood rings had become a lot less popular. However, there are still some manufacturers that make them with the kind of quality and fashion-forwardness that they were first made within the 70s.
How do mood rings work and change colors?
If you love mood rings, you’ve probably wondered how they work. Well, mood rings work by changing their color based on the changing temperature of the wearer's body. It does this by making use of liquid crystals with thermotropic properties.
The liquid crystals have properties that depend on the surrounding temperature, which means they can be changed by changes in temperature. 🤹🏻♀️When it rises or falls, the crystals respond by twisting. This changes the wavelength of light that they can absorb and reflect, making them appear like they are changing their color. This happens with every change in temperature.
Your mood can affect your body temperature. Certain emotions activate certain parts of your brain that either raise or lower your temperature. For example, some situations might cause you to sweat, hyperventilate, or cause you to become oversensitive.
When you combine the effects of your mood on your body temperature and those of the temperature on the ring, you get a system that can mirror your mood to some degree.
Recommended Mood Rings (With Excellent Reviews)
What are the different mood ring colors and their meanings?
All mood rings display different colors that correspond to different moods and emotions. What these colors represent usually depends on the manufacturer most times. This is why it is important to have access to your ring’s specific mood ring color chart anytime you buy a mood ring to use as a point of reference when your ring changes color.
Although different companies have different mood ring color guides, there are some colors whose meanings remain the same across the board. Here are a few mood ring colors and meanings:👇🏻
What does black mean on the mood ring?
Black is the default color of the crystals in the ring. When you take it off and leave it for a while, this is the color it will turn into.
Symbolically, black is a somber color. If you are stressed, overworked, or worried, this is the color that your mood ring will start turning into.🥺 It should serve as a sign to tell you that you need to calm down and relax.
Your ring may also turn black if it is broken. If you notice that you have had a black mood ring for a long time, it is probably time to get a new one.
Gray mood ring
If your mood ring turns gray, it means that you are uncomfortable, uneasy, and probably anxious.😟 If your ring is gray, any more emotional stress will cause it to turn black.
In some cases, if you are dealing with a traumatic event or grieving, gray might mean sadness.
White mood ring meaning
If you are faced with a tricky situation or a dilemma and your mood ring assumes a white hue, this means that you are confused and unable to settle on a single choice.
Also, it can mean that you are getting bored and tired of a constant and monotonous routine. When you see white, consider taking a walk or starting a self-care routine.🚶🏻♂️
Significance of a red mood ring
Red signifies intense and fiery emotion. Your ring will shift to red when you feel passion and excitement.🤩 The passion could be as a result of romantic feelings or intense anger.
When your ring shows a bright shade of red, it means you are excited about something new.
Orange mood ring meaning
Your ring turning orange could mean a bunch of different emotions. If you are stressed, aggressive, nervous, or confused, your ring will become orange.🤨 It can also be a sign of mild excitement or the state of being unsettled.
Sometimes, though, it just means you’re feeling cute and lovable.
What does a yellow mood ring mean?
If your ring changes into a yellow shade, this is a sign that you are experiencing feelings of mild anxiety, nervousness, confusion, or mixed feelings.
Yellow is not always a sign that things are going wrong. In some cases, it just means that you are feeling creative, and you should channel that energy into some art.🎨 If the feelings that caused your ring to turn yellow intensify, it will turn orange.
Green mood rings and their meanings
Green is the default mood ring color for a calm, stable, relaxed state.🙂
When it turns to light green, it suggests that you may be feeling a little stressed and alert. It could also mean you're feeling jealous, as in green with envy.
What does blue on the mood ring mean?
Blue is a sign of calmness and content. Blue also shows that you are at peace and relaxed.
A dark blue ring means that you’re feeling flirty, blissful, and kind.
What does purple mean on a mood ring?
Purple is usually associated with enlightenment and balance.⚖️ On a mood ring, it shows that your emotions are balanced and that you are aware of the things going on around and within you.
If the purple is a little reddish, it can be a sign of growing anger.
Meaning of a brown mood ring
If your ring is brown, it means that you are feeling restless and anxious. It could also mean you are impatiently waiting for something or anticipating something.
Brown also represents a state of confusion, meaning that you are not sure of a way forward regarding a particular thing.
Mood ring FAQ
FAQ #1: Are the colors shown by mood rings accurate? Should I trust them?
Because mood rings rely on your body temperature to work, they may not accurately reflect your mood all the time. Other factors besides your emotional state can affect your body temperature. For example, illnesses and environmental temperatures can impact your body temperature, throwing off the mood ring.
FAQ #2: How to take care of my mood ring for a longer lifespan and higher accuracy?
Like most things, mood rings will become less sensitive over time, and in the process become less accurate and less precise. A well-made and well-cared for mood ring should serve you well for about 5 years.
Keep your ring away from water. When water seeps into the clear quartz, it affects the liquid crystal's ability to reflect light. Extreme heat also damages the crystals, so always store the ring at room temperature.
FAQ #3: What are the recommended wearing occasions and styling tips?
The crystals in the quartz can be made into rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more. Mood rings are however the most popular choice because they are less conspicuous and you’ll have a better view of the changing colors.
Mood rings are casual pieces that will go well with almost anything. For events and parties, you can rock a necklace with the crystals in a pendant. This will make the entire outfit stand out, and if you have other pieces of jewelry on, it’ll tie everything together.
You can also get mood rings for kids to help teach them about emotions and feelings.😊
Conclusion: Where can I buy a mood ring
If you are looking for a mood ring for sale, you can get several different options on many online jewelry stores such as Amazon, and marketplaces like Etsy. Always remember to check for their mood ring color guide.
