A process is described wherein beryllium is extracted from sulfuric acid leaches by monohexadecylphosphoric acid in kerosene, and is subsequently stripped by moderately concentrated (9 M) sulfuric acid. Because of its low solubility at this acid concentration, beryllium sulfate precipitates during stripping. Aluminum, the major contaminant in the leach, tends to be extracted somewhat less strongly, and because of its higher solubility in the strip solution reaches a steady-state level in the system. Testing Of the proposed process through several cycles with recycle of both organic and strip solutions produced products containing an Al:Be weight ratio of about 0.1:1. Further reduction of the aluminum content of the solid can be accomplished by repulping with sulfuric acid of slightly lower concentration.