Determining whether your eyes are brown or amber can be tricky. The colors can look very similar, and some people’s eyes may appear different shades in different lighting. Here are some tips to help you figure out if your eyes are brown or amber.
The Difference Between Brown and Amber Eyes
Brown eyes contain large amounts of melanin pigment in the iris. This gives them their dark brown color. Amber eyes also contain melanin, but have a golden or light brown tint. The amount of melanin present is less than in brown eyes, allowing the amber color to show through.
So the main difference lies in the concentration and distribution of melanin. Brown eyes have a high, uniform concentration while amber eyes have a lower, varied concentration that allows light to reflect back in shades of gold and light brown.
Genetics of Brown and Amber Eyes
Eye color is determined by genetics. Brown and amber eye colors are both caused by a gene called OCA2 on chromosome 15. This gene controls the production of melanin pigment.
Everyone has two copies of the OCA2 gene. The combination of variants you inherit from your parents determines your eye color:
- Two copies of the brown-eyed variant results in brown eyes
- One copy of the brown-eyed variant and one non-brown-eyed variant results in amber eyes
The specific OCA2 variants that produce amber eyes are not fully known. Research suggests amber eyes are a polygenic trait, meaning multiple genes influence the final eye color.
Clues Your Eyes Are Amber
Here are some signs that indicate your eye color may be amber rather than brown:
- Your eyes have hints of gold, copper, or reddish-brown hues
- Your eye color appears different depending on lighting conditions
- People sometimes debate whether your eyes are brown or hazel/amber
- Your eyes get lighter around the pupils
- Your eye color is described as honey or whiskey-colored
- Your driver’s license lists your eyes as hazel or amber
The appearance of amber eyes can vary quite a bit from person to person. But in general, if your eyes aren’t a solid dark brown and have noticeable golden/light brown tones, there’s a good chance they’re amber.
Using Photos to Compare Brown vs. Amber Eyes
One of the best ways to determine your true eye color is to compare up-close photos of your eyes to examples of brown and amber eyes. Make sure to take the photos in natural sunlight for accurate coloring.
Here are some characteristics to look for:
| Brown Eyes | Amber Eyes |
|---|---|
| Uniformly dark brown | Contains light golden, coppery hues |
| Minimal light reflection | Reflects more light |
| Appears dark brown in all lighting | Color changes slightly in different lighting |
| Very little color variation across iris | Some color variation from pupil to edge |
Subtle differences in color and light reflection are what set amber eyes apart from brown. If your eye photos pick up these characteristics, there’s a good chance your natural eye color is amber rather than brown.
Asking Others How They’d Describe Your Eye Color
Since eye color perception can be subjective, it’s often helpful to ask others how they would describe your eyes. Poll family members and friends to see if the majority consider your eyes to be brown or amber/hazel.
Just make sure to ask people who have seen your eyes up close in natural lighting conditions. Also, have them specify if your eyes look more amber, light brown, dark brown, etc. rather than using generic eye color terms. The more descriptive input you can get, the better sense you’ll have of your true eye color.
Check Your ID Card or Driver’s License
Your official ID card or driver’s license may provide insight into your eye color, since this documentation often requires an objective assessment. Check what eye color is listed on your current ID card. If it says hazel or amber, that’s a strong sign your eyes are likely not purely brown.
Keep in mind that eye color classification on IDs is not always consistent or accurate. Some people are mistakenly labeled as having blue or green eyes, for example. But if amber/hazel is specified, chances are that’s your true eye color given the ID requirements.
Have Your Eyes Professionally Assessed
For a definitive determination of your eye color, have your eyes evaluated by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. An eye doctor can examine the structure and pigmentation of your irises under magnification to identify whether they are brown or contain traces of amber.
This professional assessment takes the guesswork out of evaluating your eye color on your own. You’ll get an expert opinion on the true color of your eyes, as well as insight into why they appear the way they do.
Try Color Contacts to Test Different Looks
Wearing color contact lenses is an easy way to get a sense of how your eyes might look if they were actually brown or amber. Try on a pair of dark brown contacts and compare your eye appearance to when you wear light brown/amber contacts.
See if you feel the brown or amber contacts more closely match your natural eye color. Getting some outside opinions while wearing the different contacts can also help provide clarity. Just be careful to buy properly fitted lenses from your eye doctor.
Conclusion
Figuring out if your eyes are brown or amber requires taking a close look at the color tones and comparing your eye characteristics to the typical features of each shade. Examining high quality photos in natural lighting, getting input from others, checking your ID documentation, consulting an eye doctor, and using color contacts can all help provide useful insight.
Subtle differences set amber eyes apart from brown, like traces of gold, light brown, or hazel rather than a uniformly dark color. If you detect these kinds of variations in your eye appearance, there’s a good chance your eye color is closer to amber than brown.
Some people’s eyes fall right on the border between brown and amber, making them extra challenging to categorize. Don’t worry too much about exactly labeling your eye color. Embrace the unique spectrum of tones and hues that make up your eye appearance. The most important thing is that you have healthy eyes, regardless of whether they are brown, amber, or somewhere in between!
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