Vauquelin analyzes the crushed beryllium crystals. The essential constituents are silica, or silicon dioxide, found in sand, quartz, and amethyst, and alumina, an aluminum oxide also found in rubies and sapphires. But there’s also a new oxide, which, once isolated, tastes sweet, so Vauquelin calls it glucine. It will take thirty years, however, to extract the hidden element: beryllium.
