Chrysoberyl occurs in a range of colors, from green, greenish yellow, and yellow, to brown. It is a hard, durable stone, particularly suitable for use in jeweler. When cut well, gems are brilliant but lack fire. Two varieties, alexandrite and cat's-eye. Have unique qualities of their own. The very rare and valuable alexandrite changes from green in daylight to red, mauve. or brown under incandescent light, such as a light bulb. Synthetic chrysoberyl. Synthetic corundum and synthetic spinal have all been produced to imitate alexandrine's color change. Cat's-eye. When cut en cabochon. Has a near-white line across a yellowish grey stone, due to canal-or feather-like fluid inclusions, or needle-like inclusions of retile. The most highly prized cat's-eye color is a light golden brown, often with a shadow that gives a light and dark, "milk and honey" effect. Pale yellow chrysoberyl. Popular in 18th- and 19th-century Portuguese jeweler, was also known as chrysalides

Although mainly worked out. The best chrysoberyl. Including alexandrite. Has been found in mica schist's in the Urals (Russia). The largest faceted chrysoberyl from Russia weighs 66 carats. Large water worn pebbles of various colors are found in the gem gravels of Sri Lanka. Chrysoberyl also occurs in Burma, Brazil. Zimbabwe. Tanzania and Madagascar. Cat's-eye is found in Sri Lanka. Brazil and China.

The name is from the Greek chrysies, meaning golden, and beryls, which refers to the beryllium content. Known for thousands of years in Asia, it was highly valued for the protection it afforded from the "evil eye".