Date of Discovery: @ 1960-1964 (uncertain)

Ranch/Country of Origin: Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Africa.

History: Probably has the most interesting history of all Chinchilla mutations.

In 1974 the rancher in Africa, who had the first Violets on his ranch, contacted Mr Sullivan.  Due to civil unrest, he wished to leave Africa and offered to sell Mr Sullivan his entire herd.  Mr Sullivan agreed to this.

On the night of October 5th 1975, 31 chinchillas were smuggled out of Rhodesia, concealed in a load of poultry.  They crossed into Mozambique and loaded onto an aircraft, destined for Johannesburg.  After a further refueling stop in Lagos (Nigeria) they then arrived in Frankfurt for the transfer to the final leg to Los Angeles.

However, there were no health certificates with the airway tickets for this final leg, which was a potentially disastrous omission for Mr Sullivan and the Violets.  After telling the agent in Los Angeles that the chinchillas had been in transit for many days and would die without rest, food and water, the Agent agreed to "turn a blind eye" and Mr Sullivan was able to whisk them away!!

This amazing effort to bring the Violets out of Africa enabled Mr Sullivan to work with and develop the Violet, which resulted in its popularity today.  It is one of the most striking and beautiful mutations, in my opinion.

Appearance/Characteristics: A beautiful violet/lilac colour with superior veiling.  Should have a sparkling and clear white belly, nice textured fur (although prone to weakness) and good overall blocky appearance.  It has dark eyes and ears that match the fur colouring.

Basic Breeding Results:
Violet can be combined with other colours to achieve various results. Here are a few examples:

Violet X Standard = 100% Standard Carrying Violet

Violet X Heterozygous Beige (carrying Violet) = 25% Violet - 25% Standard (carrying Violet) - 25% Heterozygous Beige (carrying Violet) - 25% Beige/Violet Dihybrid.

Violet  X Black Velvet (carrying Violet)  = 25% Violet - 25% Standard (carrying Violet) - 25% Black Velvet (carrying Violet) - 25% Ultra Violet

Wilson White X Violet  = 50% Wilson White (carrying Violet) - 50% Standard (carrying Violet)

Other Names: Afro-Violet, Lavender, Lilac, Sullivan Violet.

Date of Discovery: 1956-58 (uncertain)

Ranch/Country of Origin: USA (California)

History:
The pure recessive charcoal appeared between 1956-58 in several ranches (mainly) in California. The ranchers involved in the early development of the charcoal mutation were Betty Broucke, Wes Olson, R. Somavia, W. Pohl, and T. Ready. A curly brown charcoal appeared on the Sakrison ranch around 1963-64 but the male was found to be a slow breeder (a criticism of charcoal chinchillas in general that I have heard mentioned several times).

The charcoal herds all varied slightly in phenotype (appearance), with some having outstanding density whilst others had exceptional fur texture. Two main variants were produced initially: namely the dark brown-grey and the lighter grey. A few garments were made from the pelts but they had limited acceptance and the variation in colour made matching the pelts somewhat problematic.

Due to the poor acceptance of the pelts, slow breeding, lack of genetics knowledge, and the large numbers of chinchillas needed for outcrossing, recessive charcoal chinchillas fell out of favour and ranchers stopped breeding the colour or mixed the recessive charcoal with the dominant (and more popular) "shiny black" ebony.

In the US the terms "charcoal" and "ebony" are used interchangeably. In the UK (and a few parts of Europe) where the true recessive charcoal is still in existance as a colour in its own right, the two terms are kept separate to denote the different genetic makeup of the animals concerned.

In the UK it is believed that the recessive charcoal in existence is the Broucke charcoal.

Appearance/Characteristics: The charcoal  chinchilla can vary from a charcoal, chocolate to almost black in appearance with a greyish or grey to brown belly.

For more info on Charcoals, visit http://www.davidson-chinchillas.co.uk

Date of Discovery: @ 1963

Ranch/Country of Origin:  Merle Larsen, Indiana (USA).

History:  The sapphire was first discovered on the Larsen Ranch, Indiana, USA.  In 1963 the first Sapphire arrived. Further development meant that more Sapphires arrived in due course and the rancher spent much time and effort on improvement.

It was found by breeding them that they were a simple recessive mutation, and that the gene responsible for this mutation appears to have a dilution effect on the normal standard gene.

Appearance/Characteristics: Resembles a very pale blue standard (usually with very good clarity).  Should have a pure white belly.  Good examples are very attractive but it does have a reputation of being a rather weak mutation in need of careful development by breeding to strong clear standards whenever possible.

Basic Breeding Results:
Sapphire can be combined with other colours to achieve various results. Here are a few examples:

Sapphire X Standard = 100% Standard Carrying Sapphire

Sapphire X Heterozygous Beige (carrying Sapphire) = 25% Sapphire - 25% Standard (carrying Sapphire) - 25% Heterozygous Beige (carrying Sapphire) - 25% Beige/Sapphire Dihybrid

Sapphire X Black Velvet (carrying Sapphire) = 25% Sapphire - 25% Standard (carrying Sapphire) - 25% Black Velvet (carrying Sapphire) - 25% Royal Blue

Wilson White X Sapphire = 50% Wilson White (carrying Sapphire) - 50% Standard (carrying Sapphire)

Other Names: Larsen Sapphire

Date of Discovery: @ 1954 (uncertain)

Ranch/Country of Origin: Otto Wellman, Katonah, New York.

History:   There are many beige "types".  The Wellman Beige is merely only one of them. 

The first Wellman Beige turned up in a litter born of standard parents (obviously clearly carriers).  It was a male.  The only sibling was a standard-appearing female.  Both were rather weak and required reviving at birth.  Despite months of care they eventually both died - leaving no offspring.  Their dam had also subsequently died, which left only the original sire.  This male was then bred to a further eight females in the Wellman ranch, and the eighth mating finally produced another male beige in 1956.

In the meantime, a female beige was also produced to another pair of chinchillas (not closely related) and in due course these male and female beiges were then mated together - thus finally establishing the first line of Wellman Beiges.

There are very, very few Recessive Beiges currently in the UK at present.  However, I have been lucky enough to see a few (from imported European stock).  I am not sure of their future (if any) on the UK show bench and at present they remain a rarity.

Appearance/Characteristics: The Wellman Beige is almost identical in phenotype to the Dominant Tower Beige (mentioned in a previous article).  But it has dark brown eyes which are the main difference between the Wellman Recessive Beige and the Dominant Beige (which has pink or ruby eyes).  The fur type is long and dense and is a beige, sandy colour with a tendency towards being off-coloured (tinged).

Basic Breeding Results:
Recessive Beiges can be combined with other colours to achieve various results. Here are a few examples:

R. Beige X Standard = 100% Standard Carrying Beige.

R. Beige X Black Velvet (carrying Beige)  = 25% Beige - 25% Standard (carrying Beige) - 25% Black Velvet (carrying Beige) - 25% Brown Velvet

Wilson White X R. Beige = 50% Wilson White (carrying Beige) - 50% Standard (carrying Beige)

Other Names: Recessive Beige, Wellman Champagne               .