Eyes that appear gold are possible, though rare. This striking and uncommon eye color is most often referred to as amber, characterized by its distinct warm, uniform hue.
The Science Behind Eye Color
Eye color primarily stems from the amount and type of melanin pigment within the iris. Two main types of melanin exist: eumelanin (black-brown) and pheomelanin (reddish-yellow). The concentration and distribution of these pigments largely determine the eye’s final color.
Light scattering within the iris stroma also plays a role in how eye color is perceived. This phenomenon contributes to lighter eye colors like blue and green. Blue eyes, for instance, have very low concentrations of melanin, allowing shorter wavelengths of light to scatter and reflect. Green eyes result from a combination of light scattering and small amounts of both eumelanin and pheomelanin.
Defining Gold Eyes: Amber and Beyond
What people typically describe as “gold” eyes are most often amber eyes. This eye color is characterized by a solid, uniform yellowish-gold, coppery, or russet hue across the entire iris. Unlike other eye colors, amber eyes generally lack the flecks, specks, or multiple shades seen in hazel or light brown eyes, presenting a distinct, singular tone.
The unique appearance of amber eyes is primarily due to a higher concentration of pheomelanin combined with very low levels of eumelanin. Pheomelanin imparts the warm, golden, or coppery tint, making amber eyes lighter than typical brown eyes. Hazel eyes, by contrast, typically display a mixture of colors, such as green, brown, and gold, and can appear to shift. Amber eyes maintain their solid, warm yellowish-gold or coppery tone, distinguishing them from the more varied patterns of hazel eyes and the darker, richer tones of brown eyes.
Rarity and Genetic Factors
Amber eye color is one of the least common eye colors globally, occurring in about 5% of the world’s population. This rarity stems from complex genetic factors influencing eye color. Eye color is a polygenic trait, meaning it is influenced by multiple genes, rather than a single gene.
While several genes contribute to eye color, specific regions like OCA2 and HERC2 play significant roles in melanin production and distribution. The precise genetic mechanisms that lead to amber eyes involve a particular combination of these genetic variants, resulting in the unique balance of pheomelanin and eumelanin. This genetic interplay contributes to the infrequency of amber eyes, making them a distinctive and uncommon feature.