Beryllium is a comparatively rare element in both the Earth and the universe.Whether it is necessary or useful for either plant or animal life is not known.

Beryllium ,a bivalent element, is a steel-gray, strong, lightweight brittle alkaline earth metal.This free element is found naturally only combined with other elements in minerals. Notable gemstones containing beryllium include beryl and chrysoberyl. It is principally used as a curing agent in alloys, especially beryllium copper.

Beryllium metal has a commercial use presenting technical challenges due to the toxicity of beryllium-containing dusts. It  generates a direct caustic effect to tissue, and can induce a chronic life-threatening allergic disease that is called berylliosis in impressionable persons.