Pointed CPP
Colourpointed Pattern
High contrast. A pale body with clearly darker points. Eyes are clear blue.
The term “Point” on this site always refers to CPP.
Breed guide
Tonkinese colours and coat types
Every Tonkinese combines a colour with one of three coat types. The result can look wonderfully varied - and the names used for those colours can change from country to country.
The important UK naming difference
On this website we use the UK name Brown. The same colour is widely called Seal in Australia and Natural in the United States. They are different names for the same base colour, not three different colours.
UKBrown
AustraliaSeal
United StatesNatural
Three coat types, from strongest to softest contrast
“Points” means the darker areas on the ears, face mask, legs, feet and tail. The colour stays within the same family; what changes is how clearly those points stand apart from the body.
Mink TCR
Tonkinese Colour Restriction
Medium contrast. Darker points merge gently into a lighter body. Eyes are green-blue to blue-green, often called aquamarine.
The term “Mink” on this site always refers to TCR.
Solid BCR
Burmese Colour Restriction
Low contrast. The coat appears more even overall, gradually lightening underneath. Eyes range from yellow/gold through to green.
The term “Solid” on this site always refers to BCR.
The six core colour families
The three richer base colours each have a lighter dilute counterpart. These colour swatches are only a guide: lighting, screens, age, and individual coat development can all change how a cat appears.
Brown (Seal overseas)
Rich, deep brown; the darkest core colour.
Blue
The dilute form of Brown/Seal, with a cool blue-grey tone.
Chocolate
A softer, milk-chocolate brown.
Lilac
The dilute form of Chocolate; a pale, warm pink-grey.
Cinnamon
A warm, lighter reddish-brown.
Fawn
The dilute form of Cinnamon; a soft beige tone.
More recognised UK variations
The GCCF also recognises red, cream, caramel, and apricot in Tonkinese, as well as self, tabby, tortoiseshell, and tortie-tabby patterning. A kitten’s registered colour is the most reliable description; photographs are useful but should not be treated as an exact colour match.
Kittens are still developing
Coat colour, contrast, and eye colour mature gradually. A young kitten can look lighter or less defined than an adult, so final colour and coat type may take time to show fully. Please ask if you would like help understanding a kitten’s registered colour and coat type.