This page contains all variations of the Pearl gene. 

Please Note: This page covers only the base coat effects of the Pearl gene. In order to see other dilutes or modifiers, you will have to go to the individual pages for those genes. 
In order to find how Pearl interacts with Cream or Champagne, you will need to go to the Cream and Champagne pages. 

In order to search for a specific base coat on this page, use ctrl f to bring up a page search option, then type what you are looking for. 

Pearl Bases

Base Coat: Chestnut Pearl 

Occurs as: ee A(any form) prlprl
Pearl is a dilute gene which lightens the horse's base coat to a golden or apricot-like color. It affects the entire base coat equally, diluting both the body and the mane and tail. Pearl horses are often described as "shiny" or "metallic" in color -- however, please don't shade the foal designs! All pearl horses will have pink or peach-toned skin, and blue or hazel eyes. 
Pearl is a homozygous recessive or "double-recessive" gene, meaning that there must be two copies in order for it to present. However, it also presents if there is also a Cream gene in the horse's genotype. Cream Pearl, or "Pseudo-Pearl" has characteristics of both Double Cream and pearl. 
Chestnut Pearl, or "Apricot" is Pearl on a Chestnut Base. It has a very similar base coat range to Palomino, however it has a few differences. Such as: the mane and tail must be the same shade as the base coat, and the eyes must be blue or hazel. 

Horses with this gene CAN:
  • Have a similar range in base coat as a Palomino. 
  • Have a mane and tail which are the same shade as the body. Mane and tail may have lightened ends, but must have most of the color be the same as the base. 
  • Have pink or peach-toned skin on the muzzle, around the eyes, armpit, and flank / groin area. 
  • Have slight shading and countershading, but not enough to make it appear as though the horse has pangare or sooty.
  • Have white markings that are not caused by any form of genetic white. Please see the Natural White page to learn more about what is acceptable for non-genetic white.
Horses with this gene CANNOT:
  • Have dark points, as the underlying base is chestnut. ​
  • Have grey skin. Double dilutes are very pale, and must have pink-toned skin. 
  • Have a mane and tail which are lighter than the body -- unless flaxen is present. 
  • Have any eye color but blue or hazel, unless other genes are present which change eye color. 

​The examples on either side show only two of the accepted shades, for you to get an idea of what Chestnut Pearl looks like. Overall, the color bar above should be your guide for the acceptable range of coloration. ​

Base Coat: Bay Pearl

Occurs as: E_ A+_ prlprl || E_ At_ prlprl || E_ A_ prlprl
Pearl is a dilute gene which lightens the horse's base coat to a golden or apricot-like color. It affects the entire base coat equally, diluting both the body and the mane and tail. Pearl horses are often described as "shiny" or "metallic" in color -- however, please don't shade the foal designs! All pearl horses will have pink or peach-toned skin, and blue or hazel eyes. 
Pearl is a recessive gene, meaning that there must be two copies in order for it to present. However, it also presents if there is also a Cream gene in the horse's genotype. Cream Pearl, or "Pseudo-Pearl" has characteristics of both Double Cream and pearl. 
Bay Pearl is what it says on the tin! A bay horse with pearl. Bay Pearl horses will have a pearl base coat, with points, mane, and tail according to which bay base it has. The points, mane, and tail will be darker than the base, but not so dark that they are brown or black. ​

Horses with this gene CAN:
  • Have the base be the same tones as Chestnut Pearl or a bit darker in tone.
  • Have points, mane, and tail which are darker than the base coat but not quite brown or black. Points, mane, and tail are also lightened by pearl. 
  • Have slight shading and countershading, but not enough to make it appear as though the horse has pangare or sooty.
  • Have white markings that are not caused by any form of genetic white. Please see the Natural White page to learn more about what is acceptable for non-genetic white.

Horses with this gene CANNOT:​​
  • Have grey skin. Double dilutes are very pale, and must have pink-toned skin. 
  • Have a mane and tail which are lighter than the body -- unless silver is present. 
  • Have any eye color but blue or hazel, unless other genes are present which change eye color. 

​The example to the left shows only one of the accepted shades, for you to get an idea of what Bay Pearl looks like. Overall, the color bar above should be your guide for the acceptable range of coloration. ​​

Base Coat: Black Pearl

Occurs as: E_ aa prlprl
Pearl is a dilute gene which lightens the horse's base coat to a golden or apricot-like color. It affects the entire base coat equally, diluting both the body and the mane and tail. Pearl horses are often described as "shiny" or "metallic" in color -- however, please don't shade the foal designs! All pearl horses will have pink or peach-toned skin, and blue or hazel eyes. 
Pearl is a recessive gene, meaning that there must be two copies in order for it to present. However, it also presents if there is also a Cream gene in the horse's genotype. Cream Pearl, or "Pseudo-Pearl" has characteristics of both Double Cream and pearl. 
​​
Horses with this gene CAN:
  • Have the base be the same tones as chestnut or bay pearl, or a bit darker in tone.
  • Have the mane and tail be the same shade as, or darker than the base coat, or;
  • Optionally have darker points, mane, and tail similar to a bay pearl. 
  • Have slight shading and countershading, but not enough to make it appear as though the horse has pangare or sooty.
  • Have white markings that are not caused by any form of genetic white. Please see the Natural White page to learn more about what is acceptable for non-genetic white.

Horses with this gene CANNOT:​ ​
  • Have grey skin. Double dilutes are very pale, and must have pink-toned skin. 
  • Have a mane and tail which are lighter than the body -- unless silver is present. 
  • Have any eye color but blue or hazel, unless other genes are present which change eye color. 

​The example to the left shows only one of the accepted shades, for you to get an idea of what Black Pearl looks like. Overall, the color bar above should be your guide for the acceptable range of coloration. ​​
Please note: Nordanner genes may simplify certain genes from real life. Genes may not present in Nordanner the way they do in real life or in other ARPG breeds, and are as close to being realistic as possible while still maintaining standards within the breed. ​​