Mood ring
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A mood ring is a finger ring that contains a thermochromic element, or "mood stone" that changes colors based upon the temperature of the finger of the wearer. Finger temperature is determined by peripheral blood flow, which is modulated by the autonomic (sympathetic & parasympathetic) nervous system (ANS). The original mood ring came with a detailed user's guide including a Living Color chart indicating a typical mood associated with the nervous system activity level. Specific stone colors were calibrated to reflect the underlying nervous system activity and corresponding mood state.
The original mood ring was created and marketed as the Mood Stone in 1975 by Josh Reynolds, and was based on over a year of research at his Stress Transformation biofeedback center in New York City. Manufacture of the mood stone was engineered by Maris Ambats, and the overall development, manufacturing and marketing efforts were funded by US Congressman, Joseph DioGuardi. The original mood ring retailed for $45 in a sterling silver or Vermeil setting. They first sold at Bonwit Teller before sweeping the nation.[1] Mood rings rapidly became a cultural icon that has remarkably retained a high degree of multi-generational name recognition to this day.
Properties[edit]
The original mood stone was a biosensor reflecting autonomic nervous system activity, such as sympathetic activation, aka "fight or flight". The stone was a quartz crystal oval cabochon treated with heat sensitive, aka thermochromic, liquid crystal material. The ring was made of sterling silver or other heat conducting metals, such as gold or base metal. Changes in peripheral blood flow (thus finger temperature) cause the liquid crystal to reflect different wavelengths of light which changes the color of the stone. The liquid crystal used in Reynolds' original mood stone ring was engineered to display a range of 7 distinct colors spanning over a 20 degree Fahrenheit temperature range. A black stone reflects cold hands typically reflecting extreme stress, fear or anxiety.[2] As finger temperature warms, with more outward blood flow up, the mood stone's color progresses from brown to yellow to light green to dark green to light blue to dark, royal blue (typically reflecting a state of passion, bliss or deep relaxation).[3]
See also[edit]
- Liquid crystal thermometer
- Mood Ring, song by New Zealand singer Lorde
References[edit]
- ^ "Mood Ring Monitors Your State of Mind," Chicago Tribune, Oct. 8, 1975; "Ring Buyers Warm Up to Quartz Jewelry That Is Said to Reflect Their Emotions", The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 14, 1975, at p. 16; "A Ring Around the Mood Market", The Washington Post, Nov. 24, 1975
- ^ Ekman P, Levenson R, Friesen W (September 1983) “Autonomic Nervous System Activity Distinguishes Among Emotions”. Science, New Series. 221 (4616): 1208-1210. DOI: 10.1126/science.6612338; Butschek DS, Miller GE (1980) “The relationship of cognitively induced anxiety and hand temperature reduction”. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 24 (3-4): 131-136. doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(80)90034-3
- ^ Boudewyns PA (January 1976) “A comparison of the effects of stress vs. relaxation instruction on the finger temperature response”. Behavior Therapy. 7 (1): 54-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(76)80219-5