Amber Eye Color | Blog | Eyebuydirect (2024)

HomeBlogEye CareAmber Eyes: Facts About This Rare Gold Eye Color

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July 25, 2023

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Have you ever seen someone with amber-colored eyes? Chances are the answer is no.

Amber eyes are very rare. Only about 5% of the world’s population has amber eyes, making it No. 3 on the list of rarest eye colors. The rarest eye color is green, and gray eyes are the second-rarest color.

Here’s an interesting fact about amber eyes: They are more common in animals than in humans. Amber-colored eyes are often referred to as “wolf eyes” because their golden-yellow color is similar to wolves’ eyes. Other animals with this unique eye color include cats, owls, dogs, eagles, pigeons, and fish.

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What Causes Amber Eye Color?

As with all eye colors, amber-colored eyes are mostly determined by genetics and melanin.

Genetics

Scientists previously believed that only one gene determined eye color, so if your parents both have brown eyes, you would too. In the past several years though, research has found there are actually up to 16 genes that influence eye color. That’s why it’s possible for parents with blue eyes to have a child with green eyes.

Melanin

Melanin is the pigment in your body that’s responsible for your eye, skin, and hair color. The amount of melanin you have is passed down from your parents.

There are two types of melanin involved in determining the color of your eyes:

  • Eumelanin – Eumelanin is either black or brown. The more eumelanin you have, the darker your eyes, skin, and hair.
  • Pheomelanin – This type of melanin is also called lipochrome. It’s a light reddish-yellow color.

People with amber eyes are most commonly found in Pakistan, the south of France, the Balkan region, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and Portugal.

Amber Eyes vs. Hazel Eyes

While they may look similar at times, amber and hazel eyes are not the same color:

  • Amber-colored eyes are a solid gold hue that don’t contain any other color.
  • Hazel eyes often appear to have flecks of brown, green, blue, and/or gold.
  • The colors in hazel eyes can sometimes make it look like they have changed colors.

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Amber Eyes vs. Brown Eyes

It may seem like amber-colored eyes are just a light shade of brown, but brown eyes are darker because they have more eumelanin. Amber eyes have more pheomelanin than brown eyes, and that’s what gives them their yellowish-gold tint.

Which Celebrities Have Amber-Colored Eyes?

If you’ve never seen someone with amber eyes, here are some celebrities who have this very rare eye color:

  • Darren Criss
  • Nicole Richie
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Justin Bieber
  • Eliza Dushku
  • Jennifer Garner

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Protect Your Eyes

If you have amber eyes or another light eye color, you are at higher risk for UV damage because you have less melanin in your eyes and body. This means it’s even more important for you to wear sunglasses and broad spectrum sunscreen when you go outside.

No matter what color your eyes are, they are unique. Take care of your eyes with annual eye exams so they can take care of you!

SOURCES

  1. Rarest eye color in humans. Owlcation. July 2022.
  2. Genotype-phenotype associations and human eye color. Journal of Human Genetics. January 2011.
  3. Is anything known about the genetics of eye color beyond brown, blue, or green? Like amber? The Tech Interactive. July 2019.
  4. The world’s population by eye color. WorldAtlas. January 2023.
  5. Amber eyes color: 13 interesting facts, causes, celebrities. Health Kura. September 2022.
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Amber Eye Color | Blog | Eyebuydirect (2024)

FAQs

Is amber a rare eye color? ›

Only about 5% of the world's population has amber eyes, making it No. 3 on the list of rarest eye colors. The rarest eye color is green, and gray eyes are the second-rarest color. Here's an interesting fact about amber eyes: They are more common in animals than in humans.

What ethnicities have amber eyes? ›

Who has amber eyes? People with amber-colored eyes often have Asian, Spanish, South American or South African roots, as do people with brown eyes. People with blue, gray, green and hazel eyes are of European ancestry.

Do I have amber or hazel eyes? ›

Amber Eyes vs.

Hazel eyes are often a blend of green and brown, but you wouldn't see any green in amber eyes. Also, amber eyes typically appear as a more solid color, while hazel eyes seem to contain flecks of different hues (possibly even specks of amber).

Which eye color is the rarest? ›

Of those four, green is the rarest. It shows up in about 9% of Americans but only 2% of the world's population. Hazel/amber is the next rarest color after green. Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list, found in 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide.

What is the prettiest eye color? ›

there's more than one answer. One thing these survey results have in common is that light-colored eyes — green, gray, blue, and hazel — are named as the most attractive eye colors in the world. In one large survey of more than 66,000 people, green was chosen as the most attractive eye color.

What do amber eyes symbolize? ›

Amber Eye Color Meaning

Some cultures associate them with wisdom, warmth, and a keen sense of observation. While eye color doesn't determine personality traits, the symbolism adds a layer of fascination to the allure of amber eyes.

What hair color goes best with amber eyes? ›

“For light brown and amber eyes, you want colors with a warm burst of sunlight. Think copper-y red or dark golden auburn, butterscotch or golden highlights, shades like sand or candlelit and warm tawny bases to help the eyes stand out,” she says.

What is the rarest wolf eye color? ›

However, adults' eyes are yellow, amber, orangish, or brown. NEVER blue. (Can't stress this enough - adult wolves NEVER have blue eyes). Gray or green eyes in an adult wolf is known, but very rare.

Are amber eyes attractive? ›

The allure of amber eyes hinges on its rarity of occurrence, and that it is the same coloration seen in the eyes of a wolf. Amber eyes tend to convey an image of warmth and acceptance, so people tend to open up in conversations with people with that eye color.

What color makes amber eyes pop? ›

If you have amber eyes…

They may have a russet, coppery tint. So opposite orange on the color wheel you'll find blue shades that bring out your eyes. wearing russet or coppery browns will intensify your eyes. Also, when you wear deep golden or yellowy colors your amber eyes will pick up those hues and be magnified.

Do amber eyes look orange? ›

What Color Is Amber? Amber-colored eyes tend to have a solid golden or yellowish hue. You may notice a golden color and a light-brown ring surrounding the pupil. This eye color typically has warm undertones, which contribute to its golden appearance.

Do purple eyes exist? ›

Although the deep blue eyes of some people such as Elizabeth Taylor can appear purple or violet at certain times, "true" violet-colored eyes occur only due to albinism. Eyes that appear red or violet under certain conditions due to albinism are less than 1 percent of the world's population.

What is the rarest eye shape? ›

What is the rarest eye shape? The almond shape is often considered the most uncommon and is associated with a unique and captivating look.

What is the rarest hair and eye color combination? ›

According to The University of Melbourne, red hair and blue eyes is the most uncommon pairing. The traits for both red hair and blue eyes are recessive, so the chances of these two coming together are very rare. Only 1-2% of the population has red hair and only 17% has blue eyes.

What color eyes did Elizabeth Taylor have? ›

While Elizabeth Taylor made headlines with her violet eyes, her eyes were in fact blue. Blue eyes get their color from light that is coming in and being reflected out, so it is not surprising that they appeared as assorted colors based on lighting conditions.

Is amber rare or not? ›

Amber is a fairly common, easy-to-work gem material. A constant wonder to the eyes, it typically occurs in various shades of yellow, orange, and brown colors. On the other hand, pieces with green, blue, or violet tints due to extreme fluorescence are rare.

Who can have amber eyes? ›

Amber Eye Populations and Prevalence: Amber eyes are relatively uncommon compared to more prevalent eye colors such as blue, brown, or green. They are often associated with individuals of Asian, Middle Eastern, and South American descent, but can also be found among people from other ethnic backgrounds.

References

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