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Sulphur  (Sulfur)
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  S₈  [elemental Sulphur]

Discovered in Prehistory;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).
Sulphur gets its name from the Middle English sulphur, for brimstone. Sulfur is the American spelling.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Elements

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

1/O.0-10

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

1.CC.05

1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
C : Metalloids and Nonmetals
C : Sulfur-selenium-iodine

Related to:

Sulphur Group. Sulphur - Selenium Series

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal

Crystal Habit:

Crystals dipyramidal, thick tabular and disphenoidal, to 20 cm; also massive, reniform, and forming stalactites; as a powder.

Twinning:

On [101], [011], [110], rare.

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[001] Imperfect, [110] Imperfect, [111] Imperfect; parting on [111]

Fracture:

Conchoidal to Irregular/Uneven

Tenacity:

Brittle to somewhat Sectile

Hardness (Mohs):

1.5 - 2.5

Density:

2.07 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Other:

With a low melting point of 113 degrees C. sulphur burns readily in air, with a low blue flame, and gives off choking fumes of sulphur-dioxide - "rotten" egg odor.

Optical Properties

Color:

Sulfur-Yellow to Honey-Yellow, Yellowish Brown, Greenish, Reddish or Yellowish Gray; may be Black from included organic matter.

Transparency:

Transparent to Translucent

Luster:

Resinous to Greasy

Refractive Index:

1.958 - 2.245  Biaxial ( + )

Birefringence:

0.2873

Dispersion:

Relatively Weak; r < v

Pleochroism:

Weak to Distinct

Occurances

Geological Setting:

A sublimation product at volcanic fumaroles; a product of the activity of biological micro-organisms; as a result of low oxidation potential and highly acidic chemical reactions in mineral deposits; formed by the decomposition of sulfides, especially pyrite, during mine fires; found in sedimentary rocks.

Common Associations:

Anhydrite, Aragonite, Calcite, Celestine, Gypsum, Halite

Common Impurities:

Se, Te

Type Locality:

None (Prehistoric)

Year Discovered:

Prehistory

View mineral photos:

Sulphur Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Sulphur is a common mineral but faceted gems are very rare. Sulphur (S) is a native element, probably the only one other than Diamond (C) that is available as a faceted gem. Faceted gems are very rare because Sulphur is so difficult to cut due to its very low Moh's hardness of 1.5 - 2.5 and it high heat sensitivity. Sulphur is very brittle when heated because of its poor heat conductivity. It can actually crack if held titghtly in a person's hand. Sulphur also has a bad reputation for its strong odor. This odor occurs when water mixes with Sulphur and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is produced. Even moisture in the air can produce small amounts of H2S gas. But it is a powerfull odor which smells like rotten eggs. However, if Sulphur mineral specimens and gems are kept dry they will not emit a strong odor.

Sulphur is available from many sources worldwide although fine crystal specimens are somewhat rare. Notable occurances include Michigan and Ohio, USA; Bolivia; Chile; Poland; and Sicily.
 

  
Sulphur gems for sale:

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