The next element, beryllium, is relatively rare in the universe because it is also not formed in the nuclear furnaces of stars. It takes a supernova, in which heavier nuclei disintegrate, to make this ...

Beryllium has found widespread use because of some desirable properties: it is lightweight, non-magnetic and a good electrical conductor, and withstands high temperature. A few examples of items found ...

Light elements, such as beryllium at low ppm levels, are not easy to measure. To detect the element, laboratories needed instrumentation previously not used in gemology. Highly sensitive chemical ...