Mood rings are jewelry pieces that are designed to indicate the emotional state of the wearer based on the color of the ring. The ring contains thermochromic liquid crystals that respond to changes in body temperature by changing colors. While mood rings may not be scientifically accurate, the different colors are commonly associated with different emotions and moods.
How Mood Rings Work
A mood ring contains a thermochromic liquid crystal sealed in a clear quartz or glass shell. The liquid crystal reacts to changes in temperature by reflecting different wavelengths of light, which our eyes perceive as different colors. The ring is designed to be worn on the finger, allowing it to respond to the minute temperature fluctuations in the skin that occur in response to changes in mood, emotions, or physical states.
When placed against the skin, the mood ring will go through a ‘warm-up’ cycle, gradually changing color as it reaches thermal equilibrium with the body. The liquid crystal is calibrated to display a spectrum of colors within the small temperature range of the human body – from around 89°F when distant from the body to 97°F when touching the skin.
Mood Ring Color Meanings
While mood ring vendors may claim their rings can reveal a specific emotion, the colors are open to interpretation. Here are some commonly accepted meanings of mood ring colors:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Black | Tense, stressed |
| Blue | Calm, relaxed |
| Green | Normal, average mood |
| Yellow | Happy, optimistic |
| Brown | Restless, bored |
| Grey | Sad, depressed |
| Amber | Nervous, anxious |
However, it’s important to remember mood rings are more of a novelty than a scientific mood device. The range of colors represents a continuum, not distinct emotions, and colors can be interpreted subjectively. The ring may also be affected by unrelated factors like outdoor temperature and blood circulation.
What Colors Indicate Sadness?
On most mood ring color charts, the colors that represent sadness, melancholy and depression are:
- Grey
- Dark blue
- Dark purple
These cooler, darker colors correspond to lower skin temperature, which can be associated with sadness, gloominess and low energy. When someone is experiencing depressed emotions, their skin may become cooler due to constriction of blood vessels and decreased circulation to the extremities.
In particular, a dark grey or charcoal color is most commonly identified as representing sadness on standard mood ring scales. This color reflects a skin temperature a few degrees below the average or ‘neutral’ green color.
While purple can indicate sadness, a very dark royal purple or indigo color may also signify a very depressed mood according to some charts. Dark blue is also thought to signal feelings of melancholy or unhappiness.
Keep in mind that skin temperature and mood ring colors can be affected by physical factors unrelated to mood, like cold ambient temperature or blood circulation issues. So the ring should not be relied upon as a medical diagnostic tool without other corroborating evidence of sadness.
Limitations of Mood Rings
While mood rings can provide some insight into emotions, they have significant limitations:
- The color changes gradually, so rapid or momentary mood shifts may not register.
- Color interpretations are subjective and not scientifically proven.
- Temperature changes can occur for many reasons unrelated to mood.
- They may not work as well for people with circulation problems or skin conditions.
- Some people’s neutral skin temperature falls outside the calibrated color range.
A mood ring can complement self-awareness about feelings but should not be relied on as a test for depression or other clinical conditions. Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety or irritability are best addressed by speaking to a physician or mental health professional.
Other Causes of Cooler Skin Temperature
While mood rings are designed to reflect emotions through small skin temperature changes, many other factors can also influence skin temperature and mood ring color, including:
- Cold ambient temperature – Skin will cool when exposed to cooler air.
- Poor circulation – Restricted blood flow prevents warmth from reaching the extremities.
- Low blood pressure – Insufficient blood pressure can reduce circulation.
- Thyroid issues – The thyroid regulates metabolism and can affect skin temperature.
- Anemia – Inadequate red blood cells and oxygen reaching tissues.
- Raynaud’s disease – Blood vessel spasms restrict circulation.
Temperature differences between hands could also shift the mood ring color from its calibrated baseline. Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis that affect circulation may interfere with the ring’s accuracy.
So while a dark or cool colored mood ring may signify sadness, it should not be considered diagnostic without other signs of depressed mood. Check with a doctor if low skin temperature persists or causes concern.
Alternative Interpretations
While mood rings are most commonly marketed as ‘mood sensors’, some alternative interpretations of the color spectrum have been suggested:
- Lower temperature colors like blue and green indicate physiological or mental relaxation, while red and yellow reflect activation or stimulation.
- Darker cool colors signify internal focus or introspection, while lighter warm tones represent external focus and extroversion.
- The varying colors show fluctuations between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
So themood ring may reveal contrasts between energetic versus restful states, inward versus outward attention, or the balance between different branches of the nervous system. This broader framework allows for a more nuanced interpretation beyond distinct emotional states.
Conclusion
Mood rings can offer some intriguing subjective insights through the simple mechanism of responding to skin temperature changes. However, their color meanings are imprecise and should not be relied upon as a true gauge of emotional states without other evidence. While dark or cool colors are widely associated with sadness, many other physical and medical factors can also produce these color changes. With an understanding of their limitations, mood rings can still provide a fun way to reflect on our shifting states of mind and body.