Having rare hair and eye colors is often seen as exotic and desirable. But just how rare are the rarest hair and eye colors worldwide? Let’s take a look at some of the least common hair and eye shades and find out which ones take the prize for being the most unusual globally.
The Rarest Natural Hair Colors
Here are some of the rarest natural hair colors that occur in humans:
True Red
Vibrant, fire-engine red hair is exceptionally rare. True red hair only occurs in 1-2% of the global population. It’s a recessive genetic trait caused by a series of MC1R gene mutations. Red hair is most commonly found in people of Northern or Western European descent, with Scottish and Irish populations having some of the highest percentages.
Blonde
Natural platinum blonde or towheaded hair is also quite unusual around the world. Just 2% of Americans are born with true blonde hair. Blonde hair is caused by a recessive gene and is believed to have originated as an evolutionary adaptation in northern climates to allow more sunlight absorption. Northern European countries like Finland, Norway, and Sweden have the highest proportions of natural blonds.
Silver/Gray
Prematurely gray or silver hair affects only 1-2% of the population under 30. It’s usually caused by a lack of melanin pigment. While aging adults often go gray, finding silver or white hair before age 30 is highly abnormal. Certain ethnicities like Caucasians are more prone to premature graying than others.
Green
Natural green hair unenhanced by dyes is perhaps the rarest hair color in humankind. There are only a handful of documented cases. The vibrant green is created by an excess of the melanin pigment chlorophyll. However, it only manifests in people with little melanin in their hair. Green hair has been observed in people of Celtic origin.
The Rarest Natural Eye Colors
Here are some of the most unusual and striking natural eye colors that exist in humans:
Red
Having red colored eyes is exceptionally rare. Red eyes occur due to the lack of melanin production in the iris. The blood vessels show through the transparent, colorless iris, making the eyes look reddish. Only albino individuals, who make up less than 1% of the global population, can have red eyes.
Violet/Purple
Violet or purple irises are also extremely uncommon. They are believed to be caused by a genetic mutation that leads to excessive amounts of melanin in the iris. Elizabeth Taylor was famous for having violet-colored eyes. However, authentic purple eyes are so rare that many doubt if they genuinely exist.
Green
Bright green eyes are also considered highly unique. Green eye color is produced by moderate amounts of melanin combined with a yellowish lipochrome pigment. Only 2% of the world’s population has green eyes. The highest concentrations are reported in countries like Iceland, Scotland, and Ireland.
Amber/Gold
Eye colors on the yellow end of the spectrum are the rarest. Pure amber or gold eyes are sometimes found in certain wolf, cat, or hawk species but are virtually unheard of in people. At most, only a few percent of humans have eyes that appear slightly golden or amber-ish.
Heterochromia
A condition called heterochromia, where a person’s irises are different colors, is quite rare. In complete heterochromia, one eye is a different color than the other. Partial heterochromia involves the eyes being two different colors in the same iris. Only 0.6% of the population has some form of heterochromia.
The World’s Rarest Hair and Eye Color Combinations
Now let’s look at some of the rarest combinations of hair and eye colors that can naturally occur in humans:
Red Hair with Blue Eyes
Having both red hair and blue eyes is an extremely rare genetic combination. People with natural red hair tend to have green, hazel, or brown eyes. Blue-eyed redheads make up only 1% of the world’s population. Scotland and Ireland have higher proportions due to the prevalence of red hair and light eyes.
Blonde Hair with Violet/Purple Eyes
Natural platinum blonde hair paired with violet/purple irises is perhaps the rarest hair and eye color mix. Some biologists doubt if true purple eyes even exist, let alone alongside ultra-rare blonde hair. If they do exist, they would certainly be found in less than 1% of the global population.
Silver/Gray Hair with Red Eyes
Premature silver/gray hair together with red eyes is another staggeringly unusual combination. Both hair and eye colors are caused by a severe lack of melanin. To have this pairing, the person would need to have very little melanin production throughout the body. At most, only an estimated handful of people worldwide likely have this mix.
Green Hair with Amber/Gold Eyes
Vibrant green hair paired with amber/gold eyes would be unimaginably rare. Green hair itself only occurs due to genetic mutations in a tiny fraction of the world’s population. When combined with golden eyes, which are also virtually unheard of, this mix would be phenomenally unusual and likely limited to less than a dozen people worldwide.
Population Statistics on Rare Hair and Eye Colors
Here is a table summarizing the estimated percentages of people worldwide that have some of the rarest natural hair and eye colors:
| Hair or Eye Color | Global Percentage |
|---|---|
| Red Hair | 1-2% |
| Blonde Hair | 2% |
| Silver/Gray Hair (under 30) | 1-2% |
| Green Hair | Less than 0.1% |
| Red Eyes | Less than 1% (albinos only) |
| Violet/Purple Eyes | Extremely rare (possibly nonexistent) |
| Green Eyes | 2% |
| Amber/Gold Eyes | Extremely rare (likely a few cases only) |
| Heterochromia | 0.6% |
Geographic Distribution of Rare Hair and Eye Colors
In terms of geographic distribution, here is an overview of where the rarest hair and eye color combinations are most likely to be found:
- Red hair with blue eyes: Northern and Western European descent, especially Scottish and Irish
- Blonde hair with violet/purple eyes: Northern European descent, but possibly non-existent
- Silver/gray hair with red eyes: Northern European descent, specifically albinos of Celtic origin
- Green hair with amber/gold eyes: Widely dispersed mutations, possibly Celtic origin
Overall, the rarest shades tend to be found in people of Northern European heritage. However, many of the rarest colors are so unusual they may only exist in a handful of genetically anomalous individuals worldwide.
Causes & Genetics Behind Rare Hair and Eye Colors
Most rare hair and eye shades arise from genetic mutations that lead to abnormal pigment production. Here are some of the key genetic and biological factors behind uncommon colors:
- Melanin – Lack of melanin causes red/violet eyes and silver/gray hair
- Chlorophyll – Excess chlorophyll can produce green hair
- Lipochrome – Lipochrome chemicals cause green and amber eye colors
- MC1R – MC1R gene mutations lead to red hair
- Albinism – Lack of melanin production causes red eyes and very pale hair
- Genetic Anomalies – Rare mutations lead to many unusual colors like violet eyes
Most unusual hair and eye colors arise when individuals have rare mutations or abnormal concentrations of the pigments that contribute to coloring.
Conclusion
In summary, vibrant red hair, platinum blonde hair, premature gray/silver hair, and green hair are among the rarest natural hair colors globally. For eyes, red, violet/purple, green, amber, and heterochromia are some of the most unusual shades. When paired together, combinations like red hair with blue eyes, blonde hair with purple eyes, gray hair with red eyes, and green hair with golden eyes are some of the rarest in the world. These striking features tend to originate from genetic mutations and conditions that disrupt normal melanin and pigment production. But they exemplify the wonderful diversity of hair and eye colors that exist in humankind.