Chrysoberyl gets its name from the Greek words for gold, ‘chrysos’ and gem crystal ‘beryllos.’ This is apt for the transparent gemstone that occurs primarily in golden yellow, to green yellow. Cat’s eye chrysoberyl is highly valued caused by the reflection from fine parallel inclusions within the crystal structure, causing a moving band of light across the gemstone. In Asia, it was once believed that pressing a cat’s eye chrysoberyl against your eyes would enhance and improve your foresight. The other variety of chrysoberyl is alexandrite. Chrysoberyl has been found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Burma, Madagascar, Russia, Zimbabwe and America.
