Sulfur
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cccefalon" title="User:Cccefalon">CEphoto, Uwe Aranas</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameSulfur
Chemical FormulaS
Mohs Hardness1.5
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lusterresinous
Streak Coloryellow to white
Cleavagepoor on {001}, {110}, {111}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.07
Colorsyellow, yellow-brown, yellow-green, orange-yellow
Transparencytransparent to translucent
Type LocalityKawah Ijen, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia
Mineral GroupNative Elements
Usessulfuric acid production, fertilizers, pesticides, rubber vulcanization, pharmaceuticals
Associated Mineralsgypsum, calcite, aragonite, celestine
Raritycommon
Description
Sulfur is a bright yellow, non-metallic mineral, often found in massive or crystalline forms. It has a distinctive resinous to greasy luster and a characteristic odor when rubbed or heated.
Geological Context
It commonly forms in volcanic regions from the sublimation of sulfur-rich gases, as seen at Kawah Ijen, or as a product of bacterial reduction of sulfates in evaporite deposits.
