Harder than all other gemstones save diamond and corundum, chrysoberyl is strongly pleochroic, meaning different colors - such as red, orange-yellow, and green - appear depending on which angle you view the gem from. Class: sometimes considered precious Origin of Name: from the Greek chrysoberyllos (golden beryl) Color: green, greenish-yellow, brown Chemical Composition: beryllium aluminum oxide Crystal System: orthorhombic Hardness: 8.5 Specific Gravity: 3.68-3.78 Geographic Origins: Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Brazil Next Photo: ©International Colored Gemstone Association/Bart Curren The Science Behind the Sparkle | Diamonds in the Sky A Primer of Gemstones | See Inside a Diamond Resources | Transcript | Site Map | Diamond Deception Home Editor's Picks | Previous Sites | Join Us/E-mail | TV/Web Schedule About NOVA | Teachers | Site Map | Shop | Jobs | Search | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated November 2000