This rare, lightweight metal is located on the second period and the second group in the periodic table of elements. Its appearance is silvery white with a melting point of 1,287 degrees Celsius. Beryllium is a member of the alkaline earth metals. It can form up to 2 bonds. It is a toxic metal. Beryllium was identified in 1798 by Louis Vauquelin. However, it took until 1828 until the metal was isolated by Friedrich Wohler and Antoine Bussy. Beryllium is transparent to X-rays, and reflective to neutrons. 

Beryllium originally had a role in early fluorescent lights. However manufacturing the lights this way was discontinued due to Beryllium's toxicity. Beryllium also had a use in nuclear experiments (i.e. atom bombs). Today, Beryllium foil is used in X-ray lithography, X-ray tube windows, and telescopes.