Explore the beauty and mystery of amber eyes with these fascinating facts. From their rarity to genetics, discover everything you need to know about this unique eye color.
Amber eyes are a rare and intriguing eye color, with a captivating hue that's somewhere between gold and copper. They have their own unique beauty and mystery and are often mistaken for other brown colors. Have you ever wondered how rare they are, or what genetics come into play? Or, which regions of the world have the highest concentration? Let's explore the fascinating world of amber eyes and learn more about this unusual eye color.
How Rare Are Amber Eyes?
Amber-colored eyes are a sight to behold. Rare and unique, only a small 5% of the global population possesses this distinct eye color, making it the third-rarest eye color. Green eyes hold the title for rarest, followed by gray.
Interestingly enough, amber eyes are more commonly found in our furry and feathery friends, earning them the nickname "wolf eyes" for their resemblance to a wolf's golden-yellow gaze. Amber eyes can be found in a variety of creatures, from cats and owls to dogs, eagles, pigeons, and even certain fish.
What's the Reason Behind Amber Eye Color?
The color of your eyes is determined by genetics and melanin, the pigment that also colors your skin and hair.
In the past, it was commonly believed that eye color is determined by a single gene. This meant that if your parents had amber brown eyes, you were expected to inherit amber brown eyes as well. However, recent research has revealed that as many as 16 genes can have an influence on eye color. This means that it is now possible for a child to have green eyes even if both parents have blue eyes. This groundbreaking discovery has shattered the old belief that eye color is determined by a single gene.
If we want to understand why amber eyes are so attractive, we need to look at melanin, which is nature's color palette. Melanin levels are passed down from parents and determine physical features.
Eumelanin is a dark type of melanin that can be black or brown. The more eumelanin a person has, the deeper the color of their eyes, skin, and hair.
Pheomelanin, also known as lipochrome, gives the eyes a reddish-yellow tint.
Amber eyes are commonly found in certain regions of the world, including Pakistan, the Balkan region, the south of France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
Amber Eyes vs. Hazel Eyes: What's The Difference?
Eye colors like amber and hazel may seem similar, but they each have unique characteristics. Amber eyes are a mesmerizing shade of gold that's free of any other shades or tints. They're captivating and alluring. Hazel eyes, on the other hand, are a symphony of colors that include brown, green, blue, and/or gold. The subtle specks in hazel eyes create an illusion of hues, making them appear ever-changing.
Amber Eyes vs. Brown Eyes: What's The Difference?
Amber eyes have a unique feature that makes them intriguing. The secret lies in the different amounts of eumelanin and pheomelanin present in each eye color. To simplify, brown eyes have a darker shade because they contain higher levels of eumelanin, while amber eyes emanate a magnetic yellowish-gold tint due to their abundance of pheomelanin.
Celebrities with Amber Colored Eyes
If you have never encountered someone with amber color eyes, you may be interested to learn that some celebrities have this unique eye color.
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Nicole Richie
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Darren Criss
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Justin Bieber
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Jennifer Lopez
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Jennifer Garner
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Eliza Dushku