Hi FX & Stephanie,
I actually found a program at some kind of college (albeit one I have never heard of before) that does offer a professional studies program in gemology
http://www.sccollege.edu/apps/Page.a...nutab=3&pro=65. They even have a pearl seminar. Who would have thunk? There is one proviso, though, and that is that their gemology program is listed on a par with auto shop and gardening. Not very encouraging on the academic side.
Zeide