Native element with a distinctive bright yellow color and strong odor when heated. Found around volcanic vents and hot springs. Color: Bright yellow, greenish-yellow. Luster: Resinous to greasy. Streak: White to pale yellow. Cleavage: Poor. Hardness: 1.5-2.5. Transparency: Transparent to translucent. Crystal system: Orthorhombic. Chemical formula: S. Specific gravity: 2.07. Formation: Deposited around volcanic fumaroles, hot springs, and in salt dome cap rocks by bacterial reduction of sulfates. Common geological settings: Italy Sicily , Indonesia, Japan, USA Texas/Louisiana ; found near volcanoes and salt domes. Common look-alikes and related entries: Orpiment, Autunite, Limonite.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
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GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:31.785113+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Native element with a distinctive bright yellow color and strong odor when heated. Found around volcanic vents and hot springs.
How can you identify Sulfur?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Bright yellow, greenish-yellow; lustre: Resinous to greasy; streak: White to pale yellow; Mohs hardness: 1.5-2.5; cleavage: Poor; crystal system: Orthorhombic; transparency: Transparent to translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Sulfur form?
Deposited around volcanic fumaroles, hot springs, and in salt dome cap rocks by bacterial reduction of sulfates.
Where is Sulfur commonly found?
Italy Sicily , Indonesia, Japan, USA Texas/Louisiana ; found near volcanoes and salt domes.
What is Sulfur commonly confused with?
Sulfur may be confused with Orpiment, Autunite, Limonite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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