This is as close as I get to the genetics. Through http://www.AGSgerbils.org and http://www.gerbils.co.uk (American Gerbil Society [USA] and National Gerbil Society [UK] respectively) you can find links for figuring out the genetics/colors. Both gerbil color predictors and the AGS color strip reference chart....

Agouti = a - goo - tee
Argente = ar - jen - tay
Schimmel = shi - meal
From Janet Morrow, current President of the AGS.

Argente is AR-JEAN-TEA
AR as in ART
JEAN as in JEAN-LUC PICARD
TEA as in a Cup of TEA
From Julian Barker of the NGS

...and the gerbils are oblivious to all this. My don't even seem to care
how I pronounce their colors;~)

Janet

Mine have witnessed many a morning caffiene snarlie hour of mine,
they don't care if my hair isn't done and I have morning breath that
would melt reactor shielding. They just keep doing their gerbilly
things and adore all the treats.

Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch

Heisted from the AGS mailing list....

Hi, Elise (and everyone else!!!)- The Group can't get the animations (alas!)
I say, "Argent",
And you say, "Argent-aye";
(Let's all have a part-aye!)

I say "Shemmil",
And you say, "Shemeal"
(Ain't no Schlemeal!")

But we all say, "Agouti",
And ain't he/she a cutie?

We're all proud members
Of the A. G. S. !!!
(We're sweet, but nuts-aye!)
We're all proud members
Of the A. G. S. !!!

ROFL!!!!!
Judith CH Block...

[who has nicely given her permission to use the poem. Right now I can't get the animations to post.]

Shani Moran
ROFL Judith!!!! I think there may be a possibility that you have too much
time on your hands. LOL That was cute! I've had this discussion on
pronunciations with my mom and even Donna. I say the gerbils don't care and
as long as we (the humans) understand what we mean then it's all good.

Shannon

ROFL, Shannon! Thanks. Now what gave you that idea? (GIGGLES!)
Yup! Our gerbies understand how much we love them. That's all that matters.
LOLOVE!
Judith

And so I leave it at that. I am owned by a light pied dove, a nutmeg, a glossy sassy black and a light pied nutmeg. :) As long as they're healthy, happy, sassy, and gerbilly, that's all that matters here.

Deb R.