Beryllium

periodic table · rare metal · gemstones · space science

Gemstone treasure. Beryllium hides inside beautiful gemstones like emeralds and other beryl stones. When beryllium combines with other elements deep in the earth, it creates these precious jewels that people treasure.

Made in stars. Beryllium is so rare in space that scientists think cosmic rays smashing into atoms create most of it. Inside star cores, beryllium gets fused into heavier elements, so it doesn't stick around very long.

Lightweight powerhouse. This metal is super strong but really light, making it perfect for spacecraft, airplane parts, and high-tech equipment. Its strength-to-weight ratio is one of the best of any metal on Earth.

Hidden in minerals. Beryllium never appears by itself in nature, only mixed with other elements in minerals like beryl. The main source is the mineral beryl, though getting pure beryllium out is tricky because it clings tightly to oxygen.

Extremely scarce. Beryllium makes up only 0.0004 percent of Earth's crust, making it rarer than gold. The entire world only produces about 220 tons every year.