Description: Sulfur is both an element and at room temperature it can be a mineral. It is known as a versatile chemical element because it can form compounds with almost all other elements (some notable exceptions: gold, platinum, nitrogen and iodine). Sulfur is very abundant, but is rarely found as a pure element, so crystals (as shown in the specimen photographed) are relatively rare. Most sulfur that we use is a byproduct of oil and gas refining and processed directly into sulfuric acid. Another major use of sulfur is in fertilizers, and it is used to vulcanize rubber, in gunpowder, in textiles and paper mills. Sulfur has a distinctive smell, often described as that of "rotten eggs", often present around these factories.

Color: Yellow, or brownish- to greenish-yellow. Sulfur is red when molten, melting at a low temperature - 108 degrees C.

Streak: Yellow

Luster: Crystals are resinous. Powdered sulfur - dull or earthy.

Fracture: in crystals, conchoidal

Cleavage: Poor, in two directions

Hardness: 1½ - 2½ on Moh’s scale

Density/Specific Gravity: 2.0 - 2.1 g/cm³

Distinguishing Physical Properties:

• Color: yellow

• Smell: distinctive

• Hardness: very soft

• Form: usually earthy in massive form, crystals are resinous