CLASS 'A'  For the big 3 ( Kohaku, Sanke, Showa ).

The name “Kinginrin” means “Golden, silvery scale” and refers to those sparkling scales that appear golden over Hi and silvery over Sumi or white areas.
These scales are generally divided into two different types, one where the scales have a heavy, almost lumpy sparkling deposit, and the other where the deposit on each scale is flat.
The former type is called “Pearl Ginrin”, “Tsubu-gin” or “Tama-gin”. The shiny center of the scales stands out in relief, which makes the scales look three-dimensional.
The latter type shows up in three forms. First, there is the “Beta-gin”, where the scales are completely covered with a glittering surface. Such scales tend to appear on the abdominal region, along the lateral lines, or form two or three rows under the dorsal fin. High-class Kinginrin koi are almost completely covered with such scales.
Second, there are the “Diamond Ginrin”, where the scales have a brilliance similar to the gem for which the name comes. This form is also called “Hiroshima Ginrin” or “Hiroshima Nishiki”. These scales tend to spread neatly on both sides, but their superficial cracked glass appearance is regarded as coarse.
Third, there is the “Kado-gin”, where the sparkling deposit is found only on the scale edges (Kado means “edge”). Sometimes they are called “Sudare-gin”. The worst ones have silver lines on the tip of the fins. Their length is disorderly. Scales with this style deposit appear pointed and generally disliked.
Beta-gin and Kado-gin scales are mixed, these two types spread randomly over the body.
Kinginrin have greatly enriched the variety of Nishikigoi. As they have been widely crossbred, Kinginrin forms of almost every variety can be found today. These types are named by using Kinginrin as a suffix such as in Kinginrin Kohaku, Kinginrin Sanshoku, and even Kinginrin Hikarimono.