Exploring A 70s Treasure 

By: Carlos Glick

Ring on a person’s finger with corresponding mood descriptions. Credit: Wish.com

When we were children, we all thought that mood rings were really cool and quite fascinating! Let’s explore the history and science behind mood rings.

Mood rings were invented in 1975 by two New York inventors, Josh Reynolds and Maris Ambats. However, Marvin Wernick claimed to have developed the mood rings a decade earlier.  

Regardless of who invented the mood ring, they were a popular fad in the 1970s, and now not only mood rings but even mood jewelry are as popular as ever. 

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

The science behind mood rings in how they work is really cool. According to bestmoodrings, 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.

Your mood is correlated with your body temperature. A person’s normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). 

When you are stressed, 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 your mood and body temperature, so to some degree a mood ring can show your emotion.

There are other factors as to 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 determine your exact emotional state 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.

The different colors on a mood ring correspond to the different emotions you are feeling. Pink means you are happy, purple means you are romantic, dark blue means you are lovable, blue means you are relaxed, green means you are active, brown means you are nervous or anxious, and black means you have a cold temperature or are stressed. 

No matter how you are currently feeling, you can always get a mood ring to tell you exactly how you are feeling at any particular time of day. Mood rings can also be a great look on anyone who likes colors or simply just likes the rainbow. 

  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.

  A mood ring generally could last a couple of years. Some mood rings could last around five years. 

From the 1970s, few mood rings have survived even with stones from the present day. They are truly unique. 

You can extend the life of your mood ring by removing it when your hands might get sweaty and by storing it at a normal room temperature when you are not wearing it.