Certain mutation colours developed from herds with a high percent genetic influence from particular strains. The Gunning Black (now known as the Black Velvet), first mutated and appeared in a herd with heavy Brevicaudata influence.

Mutations when they do appear may be either dominant or recessive - dominant characteristics being easiest it replicate and reproduce as they have more tendency to show themselves in the offspring that have these genes as the dominant mutation gene is stronger than the Standard Grey gene.

The three most common dominant mutation colours are:
Wilson white
Tower beige
Gunning black (or black velvet).

Recessive mutations are weaker than the standard grey gene and are therefore  less likely to show themselves when they are carried by an offspring - and only appear when both parents have passed this gene on to the kit.

The most common recessive colour mutations are:
charcoal
sapphire
violet.

Ebony is not actually one colour gene, but a combination of several colour genes that have mutated in different herds, and do not work in a recessive manner - they are cumulative in their development and the effect they have upon an animals colouration.

How these dominant and recessive genes combine is what produces the myriad of colours that are available within the chinchilla today.

One thing to be aware of when breeding chinchillas - it may be easier to think of Velvet as a fur pattern rather than as a colour in its own right - the effect it has one the underlying colour is what shows rather than being a colour in its own right tat always shows in the same way.

special thanks to Margaret on CW for her assistance in the research for these pages relating to the history of the different colour mutations.  

Should anyone notice any errors or have any additional information please let us know