Amber brown eyes are one of the rarest eye colors in the world. They are a light golden or honey brown shade that almost appears to glow or have a bit of yellow/gold flecks mixed in. Only around 5% of the global population has amber eyes, making them quite unique. In this article, we’ll explore more about the rarity of amber brown eyes, look at what causes this eye color, and how genetics play a role.
What Causes Amber Eyes?
Amber eyes are caused by the amount and type of melanin pigment in the iris of the eye. Melanin comes in two forms: eumelanin which produces brown/black pigment, and pheomelanin which produces red/yellow pigment.
People with amber eyes have a medium-low amount of melanin in their irises. They have some eumelanin which contributes brown tones, but also a bit of pheomelanin which adds golden yellow color. This combination creates that light brownish-golden eye hue.
The amount of melanin present is determined by genetics. Amber eyes are a variation of other light-mixed eye colors like hazel and green. Essentially, they arise when someone inherits a smaller amount of brown melanin with traces of the yellowish pheomelanin mixed in.
Genetic Factors For Amber Eyes
For someone to have amber eyes, two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 15 must be inherited, one from each parent. This gene codes for low to moderate melanin production in the iris.
If only one copy of the gene is passed down, the person will end up with blue or green eyes instead. Only when two copies are present will the light golden-brownish appearance emerge.
Additionally, there must be some genetic coding for pheomelanin production present. People with just eumelanin and no pheomelanin will simply have light brown eyes rather than amber. The traces of yellow/red melanin are crucial for that unique amber color.
So essentially two rare genetic traits – low melanin production paired with some pheomelanin synthesis – have to be present to produce amber eyes. That’s why this eye shade is so uncommon compared to darker browns, blues, and greens.
Geographic Distribution of Amber Eyes
Given the specific genetic coding needed, amber eyes are quite rare globally. However, they occur slightly more frequently in certain ethnic groups and geographic regions.
| Region/Ethnicity | Amber Eye Percentage |
|---|---|
| Northern & Central Europe | 7% |
| Southern Europe | 3% |
| Asia | Less than 1% |
| Africa | 2% |
| North America | 5% |
| South America | 3% |
This data shows that amber eyes appear in their highest natural frequencies throughout European populations. An estimated 5-7% of people in regions like Scandinavia, Britain, Germany, Poland, and France can exhibit amber eye coloration.
Meanwhile, amber eyes are quite rare in Asia at less than 1% frequency. They also only appear in 2-3% of African and South American groups on average. So while still uncommon, amber eyes have their highest prevalence in European ethnic backgrounds.
Changes in Amber Eye Color Over Time
An interesting quality of amber eyes is that they often darken slightly over time, particularly through childhood into adolescence. Infants with amber eyes are sometimes born with very light, almost yellowish hues. But as melanin concentration increases with age, that color graduates into a richer, burnished copper-brown shade.
The eyes may also appear darker or lighter at times depending on lighting conditions. This is because amber eyes contain low levels of melanin overall. In bright environments, the brown eumelanin can get washed out a bit, making eyes look very light. But in dim conditions, the little melanin present is more apparent, creating that amber glow.
While amber eyes shift a bit with age and lighting, they largely remain within the same golden-brown color range over a person’s lifetime. The melanin levels don’t change enough to produce a completely different eye shade outside of amber hues.
Comparison to Other Rare Eye Colors
Amber eyes are considered one of the rarest eye shades, but there are a few others that also have very low frequencies in the population:
| Eye Color | Global Frequency |
|---|---|
| Grey eyes | 1-2% |
| Green eyes | 2% |
| Violet/Red eyes | Less than 1% |
| Amber eyes | 5% |
This data shows that amber eyes are more common compared to the ultra-rare grey, violet, or red-hued eyes. But they still rank as one of the least frequent eye shades next to bright green eyes.
Overall, amber eyes are substantially rarer than more common colors like blue (8% globally) and brown eyes (79% globally). Their golden-brown shine makes them stand out since most people have darker browns or lighter blues and greens.
Reasons For Rarity of Amber Eyes
Now that we’ve established the rarity of amber eyes, let’s discuss a few reasons why they are so uncommon:
– Requirement of two recessive genes – Amber eyes need two copies of a rare, recessive gene passed down. Most people inherit dominant genes for higher melanin.
– Limited ethnic groups – The genetics for low melanin and pheomelanin mainly exist in European populations. Other groups exhibit amber eyes very rarely.
– Subtle appearance – Amber eyes can blend with other shades. People may incorrectly categorize them as light brown, hazel, yellow, or gold eyes.
– Minimal research – Little scientific study has gone into quantifying different types of light eyes. Most focus is on brown, blue, and green.
– Fixation on “ideal” colors – Throughout history, cultures tended to preference blue and green eyes. Amber eyes are a more exotic shade that got overlooked.
– Poor visibility – Unlike blues and greens, amber eyes don’t stand out vividly. Their subtler look makes them less apparent and identifiable.
These factors combine to make amber eyes one of the lesser known and studied rare eye colors. But their beautiful and unique golden glow help them make their mark when they do appear.
Notable People with Amber Eyes
Though rare, amber eyes do sometimes show up in famous celebrities and public figures. A few notable examples include:
– Elizabeth Taylor – Hollywood icon famous for her luminous amber-brown eyes.
– Vanessa Hudgens – American actress best known for High School Musical, who has light golden-brown eyes.
– David Bowie – English singer/songwriter with a signature amber eye color.
– Úrsula Corberó – Spanish actress who plays Tokyo on Money Heist, with rich honey-brown eyes.
– Avril Lavigne – Canadian pop-punk singer with huge amber-colored eyes.
– Alexander Skarsgård – Swedish actor often recognized for his golden light brown eyes.
– Leonardo DiCaprio – Popular American actor who sports lighter, almost yellowish-amber eyes.
Seeing amber eyes on these celebrities brings more attention to how beautiful and special this rare shade can look. Their eye color is part of their recognizable brand and style.
Conclusion
In summary, amber brown eyes are one of the rarest eye colors globally, occurring in only around 5% of people. They require a specific mix of low melanin production paired with some pheomelanin to produce that gorgeous light golden-brown color. Geographically, amber eyes appear most frequently in European ethnicities but remain uncommon overall. Their subtly and lack of research contributes to amber eyes being lesser known compared to blue, brown and green. But when they do appear, amber eyes are a unique jewel tone that deserves appreciation and admiration for its rarity.
