Sulfur
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dschwen" title="User:Dschwen">Daniel Schwen</a> (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Mineral NameSulfur
Chemical FormulaS
Mohs Hardness1.5
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lusterresinous
Streak Colorwhite to pale yellow
Cleavagepoor/indistinct on {001} and {110}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.07
Colorsyellow, sulfur-yellow, brownish-yellow, greenish-yellow
Transparencytransparent to translucent
Type LocalitySicily (Italy), Louisiana (USA), Poland, Indonesia
Mineral GroupNative Elements
Usesindustrial, fertilizers, sulfuric acid production, insecticides, fungicides, collector
Associated Mineralsgypsum, calcite, aragonite, celestine, barite
Raritycommon
Description
Two irregular, bright yellow, translucent masses of native sulfur are displayed, exhibiting a resinous to greasy luster on their surfaces.
Geological Context
Native sulfur forms in evaporite deposits through bacterial reduction of sulfates, in volcanic fumaroles and hot springs, and as an alteration product of sulfide minerals.
