Mood Ring Colors and Meanings

Most of us, to some extent, grew up fascinated by the brilliant mystery of mood rings. It was a significant part of our late childhood and early adolescence to try and see if our mood rings correspond with our best friend’s. And we truly believed that the color range accurately portrayed the wearer’s mood. In this article, we will explore the ring colors and meanings to see just how accurate they are in reality.

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No Revisions | Unsplash

The Color Meanings of a Mood Ring

The popular belief about how mood rings work has always been that if the color on one mood ring differs from another, the moods are naturally different in the wearers. But what truth is there in this?

We take a brief look at the jewelry, science, and origins behind this fashion statement to help you better understand the truth behind mood ring colors and meanings

The creators of mood rings, Ambats and Reynolds, confirm that the color can represent the wearer’s mood or state of mind through the application of thermotropic science. However, there are a number of external factors that can also affect the color of your mood ring. This can make it difficult to establish what is impacting the current color of your stone the most.

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Evita Tomševica | Unsplash

Mood Ring Color Chart

We have outlined the different meanings associated with mood ring colors below:

  • Pink indicates a curious, affectionate, and very happy state.
  • Violet is the color of sensuality, moodiness, heat, and romance.
  • Blue pigment, especially a dark color, indicates a lovestruck sense, a deeply relaxed feeling, bliss, and happiness.
  • A lighter blue indicates calm, upbeat, neutral, or optimistic feelings.
  • A cool green shows restlessness, irritability, and concern.
  • Orange shows challenge, mixed emotions, upset, or confusion.
  • Brown is mellow, cool, cautious, or anxious.
  • Black is a clear indication of stress.

This list indicates that mood rings correspond to how the wearer is feeling based on their body heat, for example, a cooler temperature may show up as green, indicating that the wearer is feeling irritable or concerned. However, the true meaning behind a mood ring’s color requires insight from the wearer as well. In addition, modern mood rings differ from old mood rings due to the use of different materials impacting the coolest temperature or warmest temperature, resulting in different color dependencies.

Keep reading for a more detailed breakdown of the color meanings of your mood ring below.

What is the meaning of brown?

A brown color shows security and stability. You are likely feeling centered and grounded. The association with earth and nature is also strong and shows a connection to the natural world.

What is the meaning of black?

Black indicates the unknown, mystery, reflection, and introspection. Feelings of control and confidence are also strong with a black color on mood rings; strength and power persist.

What is the meaning of red?

Red is a powerful color associated with empowerment, confidence, and courage. Red on mood rings indicates intensity and passion.

What is the meaning of yellow or an amber color?

Yellow is the color of mental stimulation and inspiration. Yellow mood rings show curiosity and intellect. Enthusiasm and cheeriness are reflected by a warmer body temperature, which causes the ring to change color to yellow. Optimism and joy are also feelings that the wearer is likely experiencing.

What is the meaning of pink?

While a pink hue is often associated with romance and love, with mood rings this is not the case. Instead, pink on a mood ring shows tenderness and sensitivity; that you are in touch with your emotions. A pink mood ring may also indicate contentedness and peace, relaxation, and calmness.

What is the meaning of purple?

Purple is the color of luxury, so if your mood ring is purple you are likely feeling pampered and indulgent. It is also the color of sophistication, harmony, and peace. You are more in touch with yourself, and likely have a high sense of intuition, spirituality, and creativity. Mystery is also strongly represented by purple.

What is the meaning of orange?

Orange on a mood ring indicates a readiness to embrace change and take action. Courage and vitality are also strongly indicated by an orange hue. It could also indicate spontaneity, adventure, and playfulness. Furthermore, the vibrance of orange demonstrates joy, excitement, and enthusiasm.

What is the meaning of green?

Green shows security, stability, and hope, even in challenging times. A mood ring showing a pleasing green is optimistic, and there are indications of renewal, harmony, and growth. Balance and happiness are likely emotions when a mood ring turns green.

What Does Blue on a Mood Ring Mean?

Blue is the most common color on mood rings and usually indicates a relaxed feeling or calmness, peace, and contentedness. Blue can also demonstrate communication, trust, and loyalty.

What does a light blue color mean?

A light blue hue might show clarity or communication. You are likely open to new ideas and ready for communication. Calmness and serenity are also strong emotions.

What is the meaning of dark blue?

Dark blue is the color of relaxation and calm, it shows tranquility and stability. You likely feel centered and grounded, even when times are hard.

A Brief History of Mood Rings: New Mood Rings Vs Old Mood Rings

Overall, there has not been much change in the meaning of mood ring colors between the new materials and the old. The color spectrum of a mood ring ranges from pink to black depending on the emotional state of the wearer. In other words, different moods are indicated by different colors.

That being said, today’s mood ring options are a bit more complex than their predecessors and even include complicated liquid crystals. The liquid crystal is believed to be much more sensitive to mood changes and can cause subtle changes in color, resulting in mood rings that correspond more accurately with moods.

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Brooke Cagle | Unsplash

How Mood Rings Change Color

The liquid crystals (also known as thermochromic crystals) in a mood ring shift between liquid and solid states, resulting in a color change based on the temperature change of the skin. Thus, changes in body temperature result in changes to the liquid crystals or thermochromic pigments in the ring.

The change takes place in three steps: first, the mood ring must be worn. A change in emotional state must occur. Then the mood ring will change color.

The belief is that changes in human body temperature occur in relation to positive or negative emotions. This has raised concern over the impact of weather on mood ring colors. Perhaps the warmest temperature outside can cause mood ring colors to change, and a cooler temperature might indicate a change in mood ring colors without an actual change in mood. But are they really that sensitive?

Cons and Pros of Mood Jewelry 

The fact is that there has always been some evidence to show that mood rings do react to how a person is feeling based on the wearer’s body temperature.

Mood Jewelry Drawbacks

Mood ring colors may begin to substitute real insight into a person’s mood. Due to high humidity and other weather phenomena the color might not be an accurate indication of the actual mood of the wearer.

Monitoring a wearer’s emotions through the sole use of mood jewelry is not ideal for maintaining self-awareness.

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Allison Christine | Unsplash

Mood Ring Benefits

Mood jewelry is practical, affordable, and fashionable. Monitoring mood ring colors can help with stress and combating negative emotions. A mood ring can be used to monitor the emotional state of babies or young children as well. Unlike normal quartz jewelry, mood rings can make it easier to detect your own mood.

Modern mood rings have also opened up possibilities for new and exciting inventions, including things like Melanoma bracelets that measure harmful UV rays and help people to protect their skin. This all started with simple mood ring colors.

The concept of mood-sensitive devices will only continue to grow and will include things like pet collars and guides for self-therapy. Many reputable sources have shown support for the connection between the meanings of mood ring colors, for example, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.

Liquid crystals and other pigments like leuco dyes have thus paved the way for scientific reinvention. Mood rings continue to evolve and grow and the mood ring color chart will constantly need expanding. If things like thermochromic liquid crystals or leuco dyes can create a reliable indicator for temperature changes and different emotions there is no telling what wonders the future might hold.

Can Mood Necklaces and Rings Predict Emotions?

There is some scientific evidence that mood jewelry responds to different temperatures and display anything from a cold to a warmer color range depending on the information provided by the wearer’s body. A warmer color is produced when blood flow increases to the hands due to excitement, anger, or other similar feelings. Cold hands produce cooler colors when you are feeling calmer. While changes body temperature can influence mood ring color, the external environment can also play a role.

Final Thoughts on Mood Rings

While it’s becoming clearer every day how mood rings work there is much still to learn. But learning how a mood ring monitors feelings and temperatures paves the way for new and exciting scientific inventions. They are also becoming more popular and are even available as an engagement ring for the adventurous bride-to-be. Like many other things, mood rings aren’t perfect, but they certainly are worth the hype, and we are loving the direction that all of this is headed.

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