What Mood Rings Mean

Mood rings, which change color to reflect the mood of the wearer, became a fashion craze in the 1970s. There is no single answer to the question, "What do mood rings mean?" because the meaning depends on who is wearing the ring.

History

Though two men (Marvin Wernick and Joshua Reynolds) are identified as creators of the mood ring, more sources point to Reynolds. Reynolds said he invented the mood ring to give people a visible means of tracking their moods, an idea that fit with the growing trends of self-awareness and introspection of the 70s.

Function

The color-changing jewel in mood rings is made of liquid crystals contained in quartz. Liquid crystals are sensitive to temperature changes. So, as the body temperature of the wearer changes, the jewel's color appears to change. Rings come with a chart that reveals the meaning of each of the jewel's colors. Mood rings are for fun; their accuracy is questionable since body temperature changes for a variety of reasons besides mood.

Significance

When mood rings were created, they quickly became a fad and iconic symbol of the 70s. The ring's average lifespan was two years, and the fad faded around the same time. However, as with most fashion trends, mood rings come back into popularity from time to time.

Types

The popularity of mood rings inspired other mood jewelry: bracelets, earrings, pendants, beads, charms and watches. The fad also extended beyond the realm of jewelry to other products, including mood lipstick, pencils, pens, mugs and clothing. Philips Electronics invented a mood dress that "isn't just reflecting body temperature. It's measuring heart rate and other metabolic functions associated with stress, arousal and other emotions."

Warning

Mood rings are popular with children; however, as with all toys, parents should be cautious. A large number of mood rings for girls sold in 2007 and 2008 had high lead content. In large amounts, lead is toxic and can damage a child's nervous system. To avoid a problem, parents should check product recall lists and purchase only lead-free jewelry.

References

• The 1970s; Kelly Bayer Sagert; 2007
• Super70s.com 1970s Fads: Mood Ring
• Lead Content in Girls Mood Rings

Resources

• Mood Jewelry
• The Meaning of Colors in Mood Rings