Industrially, it is produced as a by-product in the extraction of beryllium metal from the ores beryl and bertrandite.

[8][9] When alkali is added to beryllium salt solutions the α-form (a gel) is formed.

If this left to stand or boiled, the rhombic β-form precipitates.

[10] This has the same structure as zinc hydroxide, Zn(OH)2, with tetrahedral beryllium centers.

[12] With sodium hydroxide solution: With acids, beryllium salts are formed.