A mood ring is a piece of jewelry which does exactly what it sounds like i.e. it tells a person their mood. Now that may sound like something that happens in a sci-fi world or something you’d expect to read about in Lord of the Rings. However, a mood ring is very much a real thing and has been for a while now, and that’s why many people want to know what do the colors of a mood ring mean.

Simply put, a mood ring tells the mood of a person by changing its color depending on the person’s emotional state. Again, it may sound fictional, but it’s not and you’d know if you have ever seen a mood ring or worn one. You may even have come across this jewelry but in a different form such as mood bands and mood necklaces, which are also available these days.

So how does a mood ring work? Well, it’s quite simple. Mood rings change their color because of a heat sensitive stone that is contained in them. This may get a bit difficult to understand, but these stones work due to the presence of thermotropic liquid crystals. These crystals are made of molecules that are highly heat-sensitive and respond to changes in the temperature by changing or twisting their positions. But what does that have to do with emotional state or mood of a person? The answer is everything.

The body temperature of the person wearing the ring is conducted to the ring’s temperature-sensitive stone. Depending on your body temperature, the molecules of the thermotropic liquid crystals change their positions. This simply means that they absorb and reflect light at different wavelengths. In short, the ring’s color changes depending on the body’s temperature.

This jewelry could be in the form of a ring or necklace, but as long as it contains these thermotropic crystals, it will work perfectly. They are normally calibrated to show colors between blue and green. Its natural color is usually black, which means that it will show black color when it is not worn. All the colors that a mood ring shows mean different things. These colors reflect all the moods of a person and it’s surprising how precise and accurate these rings can be.

But where did the idea of using a thermotropic crystal as an indicator of a person’s mood come from? In earlier times, even before the invention of thermometers, doctors used strips made of these same liquid crystals to measure the body temperature. This idea was combined with the relation that exists between body temperature and mood. We have all experienced that when we’re angry, our body temperature rises. Marvin Wernick, who was a jewelry designer, took this idea further and invented mood rings.

We’re all told about the relationship that exists between mental health and physical health and although it is not very obvious, it is still present. Mood rings rely on this relation to correctly describe the mood of a person. A healthy mind dwells in a healthy body, and that is why you will feel active when you’re happy and sick when you’re sad. You may not be able to notice these changes yourself, but the mood ring can.

All mood rings indicate the same mood with the same color tones and except for some minor differences in subtle tones, it’s very much the same for all mood rings or any other such jewelry. By this point, you may be wondering, does this thing work? Well, the answer is a bit complex. These rings are based on science and are very much capable of changing colors based on even the slightest temperature changes. However, it’s also a fact that every person’s chemical makeup is unique, and it can affect the working of the mood ring in different ways. Nevertheless, wearing a mood ring can be helpful and if not, it can be a source of fun at the very least.

The drawbacks to this ring are very obvious. It can’t indicate your mood accurately in extreme weather conditions. For example, in cold weather, the ring will mostly be unresponsive due to your low body temperature. Similarly, it can indicate anger due to a high body temperature that could be a result of a hot shower you took minutes ago. These are exceptional cases though, and common observation will help you understand that the color of the ring isn’t necessarily a reflection of your mood, but it could just mean that your body is hot or cold for other reasons. However, fair knowledge of the ring’s working and common sense can help you understand how the ring works and in truth, it’s quite simple.

Thus, the question now is, what exactly do the mood ring colors mean? These rings are calibrated to show a pleasing green or blue at normal body temperature. When you are happy or passionate, the ring’s color can change to blue. This happens due to the blood rushing to your skin when you are happy, which causes a slight increase in body temperature and changes the crystal’s color. Black or gray is normally the color that implies that the ring is not being worn, but it could also indicate a drop in body temperature. Yellow is normally the color you get when you’re feeling excited or stressed for some reason.

These were the main colors based on which basic mood rings used to work, but modern mood rings use much more subtle color tones and can help understand a person’s mood much better. You don’t need to memorize the meaning of every color that the mood ring reflects as knowing the basics is more than enough. Warm colors indicated heated emotions, while the cool hues show levelheadedness or calmness.

A small description of all the colors will help you understand the meaning of these mood ring colors and are especially useful if you’re struggling to understand what you’re feeling or what the colors of a mood ring mean.

Black

While black is normally the color of the ring when it is not being worn, it can also mean a whole lot of things when worn. If the black color shows up while you are wearing the mood ring, it could mean that the person is dealing with negative feelings. The emotional state of the person could be exhausted and overworked or tensed and angst. This color may have more to do with the physical condition than the emotional state or the person’s mood. Therefore, most of the time, the black color on the mood ring means you are simply tired and should get some rest.

White

You may think that getting white color on the ring is a good thing, but the truth is far from it. While white is the color of purity, calmness, and decisiveness for many, the white color on the mood ring means different things. It could mean that the person is either confused or frustrated. If you think you are not feeling either of these feelings, the ring could probably be trying to tell you that you are bored and should find something fun to do.

Grey

Grey is not a very common color in mood ring and you will not be getting it frequently, if at all. However, if you do get this color, it means you could be sad, afraid, exhausted, or anxious.

Green

There are many shades of green that you will find in your mood ring. Since green is the color that you get at your normal body temperature, you will see many hues of green during your normal proceedings. Green is mainly the color that reflects calmness and serenity, and that’s also true for a mood ring. You will most probably get this color when you are sitting calmly and doing something that is not too strenuous like reading a book.

A bluish tint to this green reflects that your mood is relaxed, but your inner emotions may be stirred up. A dark green shade reflects that there is something on your mind, but you are still aware of your surroundings. A bright green shade could mean that you are feeling energetic and wandering and amber green is normally reflective of mixed emotions and wandering thoughts.

Blue

Blue is thought to be a color of optimism and joy. Normally, this is also true for mood rings. Blue color on a mood ring is a reflection that the person wearing the ring is happy, relaxed, or at peace. Almost all shades of blue are positive, so if you are getting anything that is blue, it is because you are in a good mood.

A light blue shade means you have a pleasant vibe. It means you are happy, or it could also mean you are calm, relaxed, and not worried at all. Dark blue is also an indicator of good and positive feelings but in a more intense form. It is reflective of passion and romance or extreme joy.

Cobalt blue is the color your mood ring will show if you are happy and talking from the heart. Deep teal blue may not indicate joy, but it shows deep thoughts and strong feelings of motivation, while aquamarine blue shade could be reflective of a flirtatious and upbeat mood.

Purple

Purple is the color that could indicate several different moods, depending on the shade. Indigo is usually reflective of feelings of tranquility, satisfaction, and inner balance, while a deep purple shade is reflective of a romantic mood with a touch of sensual and passionate feelings.

On the other hand, reddish purple usually indicates negative feelings such as anger and desperation.

Pink

Pink is a very positive and bright color, and when it appears on a mood ring, it indicates relaxation and calmness. A bright shade of pink shows an affectionate and happy mood.

Red

Red is usually associated with the emotional state of passion, but it is also related to anger and excitement. Burgundy shades appearing on the mood ring indicate a romantic mood, while a deep red indicates an aroused and passionate emotional state. A bright red shade may be reflective of anger, but it can also mean that the person is feeling excited and adventurous.

Orange-red shade is normally indicative of a daredevilish state of mind, while a simple orange color could mean negative feelings such as worry, tension, aggravation or aggressiveness.

Yellow

Yellow is usually the color for the imaginative state of mind, and bright yellow color shows deep observation or poetic feelings. Orange shade of yellow normally indicates feelings of confusion and anxiety.

Brown

Brown is the color that is normally an indication of jittery feelings and wandering thoughts. It mostly means that the person is scared, tensed or restless. The combination of yellow and brown shows mixed emotions, while the taupe shade is for angst, aggravation, confusion and stress.

Just like dreams have different meanings to different people, the general interpretation of mood ring colors is not the same for every person. As described before, since every person has a different chemical makeup and the body reacts to emotional situations in different ways, the mood ring can work uniquely for different people. However, most of the main colors are the same for almost everyone.

The best way to ensure that the mood ring colors are reflective of your mood is to observe your moods closely and watch the changing shades to develop your own chart of mood ring color meanings. This activity could be a confirmation of most of the moods described here, but it could also help you come with a different chart for your personal feelings.

Mood rings are an ideal piece of jewelry for those people who have difficulty understanding their own feelings and moods as it can help them get to know their self in a better way and in a much more comprehensive light. These rings aren’t expensive at all, so every person should give it a try at least once.