Eyes come in a variety of colors, from common brown and blue to the more rare green, grey, and hazel. But some of the rarest and most stunning eye colors are shades like amber, violet, and heterochromia. Let’s explore the unique genetic and environmental factors that produce these eye colors, as well as which ones are the rarest in the world.
What Determines Eye Color?
The color of your eyes depends on how much of the pigment melanin is present in the iris. Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. The more melanin in the iris, the darker the eye color. Brown eyes contain a lot of melanin, while blue eyes contain much less. Green and hazel eyes fall somewhere in between.
The amount and type of melanin (there are two forms, eumelanin which produces brown/black pigment and pheomelanin which produces red/yellow pigment) is determined by genetics. A number of genes control eye color, the most well-known being OCA2 and HERC2. Different versions of these genes can either increase or decrease melanin production. Environmental factors like sunlight exposure can also impact melanin levels to some degree.
Common Eye Colors
Brown Eyes
Brown is the most common eye color worldwide, with over 55% of the global population having brown eyes. Brown eyes contain a large amount of eumelanin and are dominant over other colors like blue and green. Having brown eyes is considered a dominant genetic trait, meaning that if one parent has brown eyes, their children are more likely to also have brown eyes.
While very dark brown eyes are predominant in Africa, Asia, and parts of South America, lighter shades of brown are more common among Caucasians and in northern parts of Europe. Even within brown eyes, there can be variety in shade and pattern.
Blue Eyes
After brown, blue is the second most common eye color around the world, with an estimated 8-10% of people having blue eyes. Blue eyes have low levels of pigment and contain less melanin than other colors. Having blue eyes is considered a recessive genetic trait, meaning you need to inherit the trait from both parents for blue eyes to occur.
Blue eyes are most predominant in people of Northern and Eastern European ancestry. Countries like Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Lithuania have some of the highest percentages of blue-eyed individuals in the world. Blue eyes are also common among Caucasians in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The least common area in the world for blue eyes is Asia and parts of Africa.
Green Eyes
Green eyes are considered to be quite rare, with only 2% of the world’s population estimated to have green eyes. Green eyes have low to moderate levels of melanin and contain a blend of blue and yellow tones. Most people with green eyes originated from Northern Europe, although they can occur in people from around the world.
The green eye gene is somewhat complex compared to blue or brown. Green eyes are thought to be caused by a combination of the blue eye gene with larger amounts of pheomelanin pigment. Green eyes are most vibrant when combined with red hair and pale skin, traits commonly seen in Irish and Scottish people. The actress Nicole Kidman is a notable example of someone with vivid green eyes.
Hazel Eyes
Hazel eyes have a fascinating, complex appearance that shifts between shades of brown, green, grey and gold. Essentially they are a blend between light brown and green eyes. The amount of melanin is moderate, so they contain some characteristics of both eye colors. Hazel eyes often appear greenish-brown or brownish-green.
It’s difficult to pin down exact statistics, but hazel eyes are relatively uncommon worldwide, with estimates of 5-10% of people having natural hazel eyes. They are most common among Caucasians and people of European descent and are rarely seen in Asia or Africa. Famous examples of hazel eyes include Mila Kunis and Prince Harry.
Rare Eye Colors
While brown, blue, green, and hazel eyes make up the majority of eye colors around the world, some rarer eye shades also exist. Here are some of the most unique and beautiful eye colors that you probably won’t come across every day:
Amber Eyes
Amber eyes are a solid golden or copper color without flecks of blue or green typical of hazel eyes. This remarkable eye color is extremely rare worldwide, thought to be found in less than 1% of the population. Amber eyes are often referred to as wolf eyes because of their similarity to the eye color often seen in wolves.
Amber eyes are believed to be caused by relatively high concentrations of lipochrome (a derivative of melanin) in the iris. They are most commonly found in people of Asian descent and are rarely seen in Caucasians. The brilliant amber color stands out against darker skin tones. Actress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a high-profile person with light amber eyes.
Red/Violet Eyes
Truly red or violet colored eyes are perhaps the rarest eye color found in humans. They are often confused with albinism, but are a distinct pigmentation. Red/violet eyes have little to no melanin present. Instead, they contain abundant amounts of lipochrome pigments. The eyes appear pink, reddish or lilac hued, depending on lighting conditions.
This eye color is primarily seen in people with genetic mutations that reduce melanin production. It may also occasionally occur in people with light blue eyes. Some conditions associated with red/violet eye color include ocular albinism, eye albinism, and genetic mutations like Waardenburg syndrome. It is estimated that less than 1 in 10,000 people have true red or violet eye coloration.
Heterochromia
Heterochromia is an eye condition where one iris is a different color from the other. It is considered quite rare, occurring in less than 1% of the population. However, certain kinds of heterochromia are more common than others.
In complete heterochromia, one eye is brown while the other is blue, green, or hazel. This type is less common. Segmental heterochromia is when part of the iris is a different color from the rest, which is more common. Some people also have sectoral heterochromia where there are flecks or patches of different colors in one iris.
Heterochromia is caused by uneven melanin content or distribution between the eyes. In some cases, it is inherited genetically. Other times it is caused by genetic mosaicism, disease like neurofibromatosis, eye injury, or congenital defect. Celebrities with heterochromia include Kate Bosworth, Jane Seymour, and Henry Cavill.
Rarest Eye Color: Statistics
It’s difficult to pin down exact global statistics on rare eye colors. However, here’s a look at estimated percentages of some of the rarest colors:
| Eye Color | Global Percentage |
|---|---|
| Amber | Less than 1% |
| Red/Violet | Less than 0.1% |
| Complete heterochromia | Around 0.07% |
As you can see, amber, red/violet eyes, and complete heterochromia with different colored eyes are all estimated to be incredibly rare globally. While hazel and green eyes are also considered relatively uncommon, they are still significantly more prevalent than red/violet and amber eyes worldwide.
What Makes a Rare Eye Color Beautiful?
There are a few key factors that make rare eye colors stand out as uniquely beautiful:
- They are striking and vivid – The colors appear very bright instead of muted.
- They are complex – Many have a fascinating blend of shades and patterns.
- They are uncommon – Rarity naturally attracts interest and fascination.
- They can contrast with other features like hair and skin color, making them more noticeable.
- The genetic uniqueness is captivating – We are drawn to the unusual.
While eye beauty is certainly subjective, these aspects make many people find rare shades particularly stunning. The rich amber color of amber eyes, the dazzling red tones of violet eyes, and the amazing multicolored patterns of heterochromatic eyes drive people to describe them as beautiful and exotic.
Conclusion
Rare eye colors represent unique genetic quirks and mutations that alter melanin content and make eyes appear dramatically different. Shades of amber, red/violet, and the multi-colored patterns of heterochromia are some of the rarest eye traits found worldwide, each occurring in less than 1% of people. The unusual vivid tones, captivating hues, and genetic uniqueness of these eyes cause many to perceive them as particularly beautiful.
So in summary, amber, red/violet, and heterochromia are the rarest eye colors globally. Their stand-out appearances have made them legendary for their beauty. However, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, so all eye colors and people are lovely in their own way.
