How Mood Rings Work

The History of Mood Rings

Moods rings were invented in 1975 by two New York Inventors Josh Reynolds and Maris Ambats.  However,  Marvin Wernick, claimed he developed the rings a decade earlier. The book ‘Why Didn’t I Think of That’  is said to contain a chapter explaining Wernick’s work with mood rings, which he did not patent, giving others an opportunity to bring mood rings into the market.  Regardless of who invented the mood ring, they were a popular fad in the 1970s and now mood rings and mood jewelry are as popular as ever.

The theory behind the mood ring is that your emotional state will be revealed by the corresponding colors of the mood ring.

How Mood Rings Work?

Mood Rings contain thermotropic liquid crystals inside the stone or the band of the mood ring. These liquid crystals are able to show different colors at different temperatures.  The liquid crystals in modern mood jewelry are usually made from a flat strip of liquid crystals with a protective coating.  These crystals react to changes in temperature by twisting.  The twisting changes their molecular structure, which alters the wavelengths of light or color that are reflected or absorbed.   When the temperature of the liquid crystals changes so will their color and this is how mood rings work.

Do Mood Rings Work  / Do they really show your emotions?

Your mood is correlated with your body temperature.  A person’s normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).  When you are stressed or cold blood is directed to the internal organs and away from the skin and the mood ring will turn a darker color. If you are happier or feeling passionate the crystal will twist in another direction and start to change color as your body temperature increases.  Therefore there is a correlation with mood and your body temperature so to some degree a mood ring can show your emotion.

There are other factors why the mood ring will change that are unrelated to mood such as just finishing a workout or having a hot bath.  Mood Rings and Mood Jewelry can’t tell your emotional state exactly but what they can do is provide you with a beautiful color changing ring; a guide to your mood and have a lot of fun deciding which ‘mood’ you are in.

What the Mood Ring Colors Mean

The top of the list is the warmest temperature, at violet, moving to the coolest temperature, at black.

• Pink – happy, romantic
• Purple - romantic
• Dark Blue – loveable
• Blue –  relaxed
• Green – active
• Brown – nervous, anxious
• Black – cold temperature, stressed

How Long Do Mood Rings Last?

It is best to take care of your mood ring by protecting the actual mood area. Keep your mood ring away from water and harsh chemicals. Sterling Silver Mood Rings will last even longer as the metal is more durable. You can learn how to protect your mood ring by visiting our caring for mood rings page.