Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
sulfur (also spelled sulphur)

Chemical Group:    native element

Chemical Formula:    S

Color:  sulfur yellow, straw yellow, honey yellow, yellowish brown, yellowish gray

Streak:  white

Hardness:  1.5 to 2.5       Specific Gravity:  2.05 to 2.09

Fracture:  conchoidal to uneven

Luster:  resinous             Tenacity:  brittle
 

Electrical properties:  When rubbed, becomes negatively charged
 

Crystal Forms: Orthorhombic system
     Crystals are acute pyramidal; also thick tabular.

Mineral Associations:   Sulfur is found in volcanic fumaroles, also by the decomposition of sulfide ores.

Identifying Characteristics:  sulfur burns and produces SO₂

Uses:  many chemical processes, including the vulcanization of rubber.

Occurrences:  Sicily, Mexico, Texas 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- moderate           when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information:  A crystal of sulfur can be cracked by the heat from your hand.