Piezoelectric, dielectric, and pyroelectric measurements were made on hexagonal BeO crystals grown in molten lithium molybdate flux. The piezoelectric constantd33∼0.24×10−12C/N, &egr;33T/&egr;0∼7.6, and the average free pyroelectric constant in the range −196° to 25°C is −3.4×10−10C/cm2°C. The sound velocity perpendicular to the polar axis is 12 000 m/sec. Although no absolute identification of crystal planes was made, it was concluded from the sign of the piezoelectric constantd33that the oxygen side of the closely coupled Be—O layer is that of principal growth and etch. Polarity of the crystal structure is reflected in typical crystal growth habits and in characteristic etch patterns which are described.