These days, beryllium is typically obtained from the minerals beryl and bertrandite in a chemical process or through the electrolysis of a mixture of molten beryllium chloride and sodium chloride, the Jefferson Lab reports.

Is beryllium natural or manmade?

1.4. Environmental occurrence. Beryllium occurs naturally in the earth’s crust, and is released in the environment as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activities. The environmental occurrence of beryllium has been reviewed extensively (WHO, 1990; ATSDR, 2002; Taylor et al., 2003).

What is the origin of beryllium?

Beryllium was discovered by Louis-Nicholas Vauquelin (FR) in 1798. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word beryllos meaning mineral beryl; also called glucinium from the Greek word glykys meaning sweet. It is a steel-grey metal resistant to attack by concentrated nitric acid.