Sulphur
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameSulphur
Chemical FormulaS
Mohs Hardness1.5
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lusterresinous
Streak Colorwhite to pale yellow
Cleavagepoor/imperfect on {001}, {110}, {111}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.07
Colorsyellow, orange-yellow, brownish-yellow
Transparencytransparent to translucent
Type LocalityFloristella Mine, Valguarnera, Enna Province, Sicily, Italy
Mineral GroupNative Elements
Usesindustrial, chemical production, fertilizers, fungicides, collector
Associated Mineralsaragonite, celestine, gypsum, calcite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen features a prominent, vibrant yellow, blocky crystal of sulphur perched on a matrix of white to light brown botryoidal aragonite, with smaller yellow sulphur crystals interspersed. The sulphur crystals exhibit a resinous to greasy luster.
Geological Context
Native sulphur commonly forms in evaporite deposits through the bacterial reduction of sulfates like gypsum and anhydrite, or in volcanic environments from the sublimation of sulfur-rich gases. This specimen from Sicily is typical of evaporite-related deposits.
