Eyes are often described by their color, with common descriptions including blue, brown, green, and hazel. However, eye colors actually exist on a spectrum, with various hues and shades in between. One eye color that generates a lot of discussion is honey brown – but are honey brown eyes actually amber? Let’s take a closer look.
What are honey brown eyes?
Honey brown eyes are a light to medium shade of brown that has strong golden, amber, or honey-like undertones. The rich, warm pigment gives the eyes a luminous, almost glowing effect. Honey brown eyes typically contain a minimal amount of melanin pigment compared to darker brown or black eyes. This allows more light to penetrate and accentuate the golden-brown color.
While there is no definitive, objective way to classify honey brown eyes, they are generally distinguished from other brown shades by their distinctly warm, golden color – like the hue of honey itself. Darker brown eyes may also occasionally display a subtle touch of gold, but not to the same warm, bright extent as true honey brown eyes.
What are amber eyes?
Amber eyes have a strong golden, honey-like color. However, the term “amber eyes” is usually reserved for the most intensely saturated, vivid golden eye color possible in humans. Amber eyes contain a very high concentration of light-scattering lipochrome pigment. This pigment, also found in honey, gives the eyes their bright gold color.
Amber eyes are quite rare globally, occurring in less than 1% of the population. They are however more frequently seen in certain parts of the world, including South Asia and North Africa. The vibrant golden color is mesmerizing and distinctive, often appearing luminous or glowing when light hits them.
How do honey brown and amber eyes compare?
While both honey brown and amber eyes have a rich golden-brown appearance, amber eyes trend lighter, brighter, and more vividly saturated than the typical range of honey brown. Here are some key ways the two eye colors differ:
| Honey Brown Eyes | Amber Eyes |
|---|---|
| Warm golden-brown shade | Vibrant golden shade |
| Minimal to moderate golden tone | Very high concentration of golden pigment |
| Common eye color | Rare eye color |
| Medium to moderately-light brown | Very light golden color |
| Melanin pigment evident | Minimal melanin, dominated by lipochrome pigment |
While amber eyes represent the extreme end of a bright golden spectrum, honey brown eyes have a more muted and darker golden-brown appearance that still maintains subtle warmth and luminosity.
Can honey brown eyes be considered amber?
Honey brown eyes and amber eyes are closely related, with similar golden-brown hues. However, amber eyes are best distinguished by their pure, vivid color and minimal melanin pigment. Honey brown eyes tend to be darker and have more evident brown tones.
While some honey brown eyes can display a rich golden glow, most do not exhibit the extreme saturated gold color that qualifies as true amber. As a result, honey brown eyes are generally considered separate from amber eyes.
However, there is no rigid dividing line, and no two eyes are exactly alike. Some honey brown eyes may edge close to amber territory, while some amber eyes may be dark enough to resemble lighter honey brown. Given the spectrum of possible shades, there are certainly overlaps between these color categories.
What causes honey brown and amber eye colors?
The specific colors and patterns seen in human eyes arise from the presence and distribution of the pigments eumelanin (brown) and pheomelanin (red/yellow). Honey brown eyes occur when eumelanin is present in small to moderate amounts, allowing pheomelanin to create golden-brown tones. Amber eyes result when pheomelanin is very highly concentrated, producing vivid gold color with minimal brown.
Genetics play a key role in determining pigment levels. Changes to genes involved in pigment production can reduce overall melanin concentration and increase pheomelanin, enhancing golden eye color. Environmental factors like sunlight exposure can also impact pigment production.
The OCA2 and HERC2 genes especially influence eye color. Specific OCA2 variants reduce melanin production, while the HERC2 gene controls expression of OCA2. Variants of both these genes are linked to light eyes.
Are amber eyes more common in certain ethnicities?
Amber eyes occur worldwide but are more prevalent in certain parts of the world. Areas with higher rates of amber eyes include:
- South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)
- North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Egypt)
- The Middle East (Turkey, Afghanistan)
Research suggests higher amber eye rates in these regions may be linked to intermarriage among local populations over time. This has increased the prevalence of gene variants and combinations favoring light eye color.
However, amber eyes can potentially occur in people of any ethnicity. Variants that inhibit melanin and boost lipochrome can arise through random mutation in any population. So while amber eyes are rare overall, they are not necessarily restricted to specific ethnic backgrounds.
Can amber eyes appear to shift color?
Yes, amber eyes often appear to shift color in different lighting conditions. This is because the translucent golden pigment allows light to fully penetrate and reflect back. This optical effect can make amber eyes gleam brightly or take on various rich coppery-brown tones.
Indirect indoor lighting tends to bring out warm honey-brown tones in amber eyes. But in bright natural light, especially sunlight, amber eyes can appear more starkly golden and almost glow with vibrant color.
This fluid, variable appearance helps create the sense of depth and luminosity characteristic of amber eyes. The way they vividly shift and dance between gold and copper hues makes them stand out compared to static eye colors.
Are honey brown/amber eyes connected to health or behavior?
There is no scientific evidence linking honey brown or amber eye color to any specific health conditions, benefits, or drawbacks. Eye color is determined mainly by genetics and pigment levels, not by diet, lifestyle, or environmental factors.
Additionally, no personality traits or behaviors are consistently associated with amber eye color or other light brown shades. Eye color does not directly impact temperament, intelligence, or other behavioral characteristics.
While many cultures have folklore and stories connecting eye color to personality, these associations are anecdotal. Personality is shaped by a complex mix of genetics, upbringing, and life experiences, not physical traits.
Conclusion
In summary, honey brown and amber are closely related eye colors with golden-brown hues. However, amber eyes represent the extreme end of a bright, vivid golden spectrum, with minimal melanin pigment. Honey brown eyes maintain a darker, deeper brown tone with subtle golden highlights. While honey brown eyes can sometimes verge into amber territory, most are considered separate from true amber.
Amber eyes are quite rare globally but are beautiful and distinctive in their luminous golden color. Honey brown eyes also have a lovely, warm appearance while being more common amongst the population. So whether honey brown or amber, golden-tinged brown eyes have an arresting, captivating glow and brightness.
