The color amber is one of the world’s most unique and rarest eye colors. Amber eyes are like little drops of liquid gold. Warm, glowing, and completely mesmerizing. Unlike most eye colors that mix a few shades, amber eyes are known for their single, solid hue that radiates across the entire iris. This golden tone comes from high levels of a reddish-yellow pigment called pheomelanin. Often nicknamed “wolf eyes” for their wild, magnetic glow, amber eyes are truly one of nature’s most dazzling sights.
How Rare Are Amber Eyes?
Have you ever seen someone with amber-colored eyes? Chances are the answer is no.
Amber eyes are very rare. Researchers haven’t conducted many large, population-level studies of eye-color prevalence, so exact figures are hard to pin down and can vary by region. That’s why most estimates are directional, not definitive. However, many sources estimate that 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.
And here’s a fun twist: amber eyes are far more common in animals than in people. Wolves, cats, owls, eagles, dogs, even certain fish share this same golden shimmer — which is exactly why they’re sometimes called “wolf eyes.”
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 that colors your eyes, skin, and hair. 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.
Amber eyes happen when pheomelanin (yellow-red) outweighs eumelanin (black-brown), lighting up the iris with golden, copper, or honey tones. They’re most often seen in regions like Pakistan, southern France, the Balkans, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and Portugal.
What Color Are Amber Eyes?
On the color wheel, amber sits between yellow and orange. The color amber gets its name from fossilized tree resin (the same material that sometimes preserves insects, like in Jurassic Park). This gemstone is valued for its striking range of warm, translucent yellow, gold, and reddish-orange hues.
Like the gemstone, amber eyes are a vibrant, solid color that can be described as gold, copper, or yellowish-brown. They are sometimes referred to as “golden eyes” when their shade leans more toward the yellow or bright copper end of the spectrum. The key characteristic is that the color is uniform throughout the iris.
Amber Eye Color Comparisons
Amber eyes are unique, but they are often mistaken for brown or hazel eyes. Understanding the differences is key to identifying this rare shade.
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.
Amber Eyes vs. Brown Eyes
It may seem like amber-colored eyes are just a light shade of brown, but the cause of their color is what sets them apart:
- Brown eyes are darker because they have significantly more eumelanin (black/brown pigment).
- Amber eyes have more pheomelanin (reddish-yellow pigment), which 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:
- Nicole Richie
- Jennifer Lopez
- Justin Bieber
- Eliza Dushku
FAQs
Are amber eyes the same as honey eyes?
They’re often used interchangeably, but honey eyes usually describe lighter amber shades with a soft golden tone.
Can amber eyes change color?
Lighting and clothing can make them appear lighter or darker, but true eye color doesn’t change in adulthood.
Can I get amber eyes with contacts?
Yes, but only with cosmetic or colored contact lenses. Always follow your optometrist’s guidance for safe use.
Protect Your Eyes
If you have amber eyes or another light eye color, you’re 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’re unique. Take care of your eyes with annual eye exams so they can take care of you!
SOURCES
- Rarest eye color in humans. Owlcation. July 2022.
- Genotype-phenotype associations and human eye color. Journal of Human Genetics. January 2011.
- Is anything known about the genetics of eye color beyond brown, blue, or green? Like amber? The Tech Interactive. July 2019.
- The world’s population by eye color. WorldAtlas. January 2023.
- Amber eyes color: 13 interesting facts, causes, celebrities. Health Kura. September 2022.
