Sulfur

This is the mineral Sulfur. Note that it’s classified as a Native Element Mineral. Native Sulfur has all the characteristics required of minerals. Minerals must be naturally occurring, inorganic solids with distinct chemical compositions and physical properties, as well as an orderly arrangement of atoms within a crystalline lattice. Since Sulfur has all these characteristics, it’s rightfully classified as both an element and a mineral. Thus, Sulfur belongs to the Native Element chemical family. The mineral has a resinous luster that resembles the sheen of tree sap. It streaks light yellow or white, which is best seen against a black ceramic streak plate. It’s a soft mineral, ranking between 1.5 to 2.5 on Mohs hardness scale. Thus, Sulfur can scratch Talc, which is ranked number 1. It’s brittle and exhibits poor cleavage. With a specific gravity of 2.1, specimens feel very light in your hand. Sulfur’s distinctive yellow color is often coupled with its equally distinctive odor, which is reminiscent of rotten eggs. Its primary industrial use is in the form of Sulfuric Acid, which is often used to create fertilizers. Soaking crushed Phosphate rocks in Sulfuric Acid yields Phosphoric Acid. Phosphoric Acid is used to create Phosphate fertilizers. Sulfuric acid is also used as the electrolyte solution in most automotive lead-acid batteries. Sulfur also plays a critical part in vulcanizing, or hardening, rubber. Heat-treating rubber with Sulfur compounds changes rubber’s hardness, elasticity, and durability. Creating products such as shoes, hoses, conveyor belts, and tires all require rubber with varying physical properties, and Sulfur is a critical mineral in their creation.