Mineral Information and Data:

Sulphur
S [CNMNC approved formula]

Named from Latin sulfurum = sulfur.

IMA status :	Valid species (Pre-IMA Ancient) Grandfathered
CLASSIFICATION
Dana (8^th edition) :	01.03.05.01
	(01) Native Elements
	(01.03) with semi-metallic and non-metallic elements
	(01.03.05) Sulfur Polymorph group

Nickel-Strunz (10^th edition) :	01.CC.05
	(01) Elements
	(01.C) Metalloids and Nonmetals
	(01.CC) Sulfur-selenium-iodine

Crystal system:	Orthorhombic System
Point group (H-M):	mmm (or 2/m 2/m 2/m) — dipyramidal
Unit cell:	a = 10.45 Å, b = 12.84 Å, c = 24.46 Å
Crystal Habit:	Crystals bipyramidal, thick tabular or disphenoidal, massive, crusts, stalactites, powdery
Twinning:	Rare on {101}, {011} or {110}

Color:	Sulfur yellow to yellowish brown, yellowish gray
Diaphaneity:	Transparent, Translucent
Luster:	Resinous, Greasy
Hardness (Mohs):	1.5 to 2.5
Measured Density:	2.07 g/cm³
Cleavage:	4; {001}, {110} and {111} imperfect, {111} parting
Tenacity:	Rather brittle to somewhat sectile.
Fracture:	Conchoidal to uneven
Streak:	White

Polymorphism and Series:	Dimorphous with rosickyite.
Geologic 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.
Mineral Association:	Gypsum, anhydrite, halite, aragonite, calcite, celestine.

Synonyms/varieties:	Selensulfur (Se-rich variety), sulfurite, sulfur
Other Properties:	Gemstone Extremely Rare. BioMineral.

Sulfur associated with gypsum rosettes
Origin: Máchow, Poland
Picture size: 12 x 16 mm
Sample owner: M.A. Zakrzewski
Photo: Pieter Stemvers, Leusden, Netherlands