A mood ring is a specialized liquid crystal thermometer, wearable on the finger. The ring is typically ornamented with a faux gemstone (usually made of quartz or glass) which is either a clear capsule filled with thermochromic liquid crystal, or has a thin sheet of liquid crystal sealed underneath. Changes in temperature cause the crystal to reflect different wavelengths of light which changes the color of the stone. The liquid crystal used in mood rings is usually set up to display a "neutral" color at the average human skin temperature, which is approximately 98.6 °F (37.0 °C).
The theory behind the idea that the ring indicates the wearers' mood is based on a claim that body heat fluctuates with the emotional state of the wearer. Human body temperatures are known to vary by small amounts (less than 1°C) over the circadian and menstrual cycles and when the body is fighting an infection. Variations in ambient air temperature appear to have a larger effect on the temperature of the ring than changes in the body temperature of the wearer. It appears that no direct correspondence between a particular mood and a specific color has ever been substantiated.
While somewhat a novelty, the actual theory behind the ability of a stone to approximate body temperature into color based on "mood" is extremely peculiar. Some kind of real-life stream of input is very interesting and holds a lot of potential.
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