Beryllium is a chemical element with the symbol Be and atomic number 4. It is a steel-gray, strong, lightweight and brittle alkaline earth metal. It is a divalent element that occurs naturally only in combination with other elements to form minerals. Notable gemstones high in beryllium include beryl and chrysoberyl.

What was beryllium originally used for?

Copper beryllium alloys were first patented and used as the conductive spring components of telephone switchboard relays produced in Germany.

Where was beryllium found?

Beryllium is most often found in the minerals beryl and bertrandite. It is found in the Earth's crust and mostly in igneous (volcanic) rocks. Most of the world's beryllium is mined and extracted in the United States and Russia with the state of Utah supplying nearly two-thirds of the world's beryllium production.