Mineral 1.0: Sulfides

Mineral 1.0

Test your knowledge of specific minerals

M
E
N
U
« Home | Browse Minerals | QuizzesMinerals by letter: All | K | G | O | A | H | T | P | C | Q | N | Z | S | E | W | M | B | F | D | L
Minerals by class: Silicates | Halides | Carbonates | Sulfates | Oxides | Phosphates | Hydroxides | Native elements | Sulfides
Silicate Subclasses: Nesosilicates | Pyroxenes | Amphiboles | Frameworks | Sorosilicates | Cyclosilicates | Phyllosilicates



Click on a mineral for more details.

M
i
n
e
r
a
l
s

SulfideArsenopyrite

FeAsS

Most distinguishing features:
Gives off a garlic odour when crushed or heated. Colour is indicative.
Industrial/economical uses:
A possible source of arsenic, however better secondary sources from smelting processes of other ores exist.

SulfideBornite

Cu₅FeS₄
Other names/forms:
Peacock ore

Most distinguishing features:
Green-blue-purple iridescence is indicative, as is a brownish-bronze colour on fresh surfaces.
Industrial/economical uses:
Mined as an ore of copper, but not as important as chalcopyrite.

SulfideChalcocite

Cu₂S

Most distinguishing features:
Black colour with sooty appearance on weathered surfaces and sectile character are distinctive. Bronze-yellow on fresh surfaces.
Industrial/economical uses:
Mined as a source of copper.

SulfideChalcopyrite

CuFeS₂

Most distinguishing features:
Distinctive brassy-green colour. Has a richer yellow colour than pyrite and a lower hardness.
Industrial/economical uses:
Mined for its copper which has innumerable industrial uses.

SulfideGalena

PbS

Most distinguishing features:
Gives off a rotten-egg smell in HCl, very high SG, very metallic lustre.
Industrial/economical uses:
Main ore from which lead is extracted, also a source of silver.

SulfideMarcasite

FeS₂

Most distinguishing features:
Bronze-yellow colour and habit are indicative. Streak is also helpful.
Industrial/economical uses:
Can be used as source of sulfur and iron, but not normally economically valuable.

SulfideMolybdenite

MoS₂

Most distinguishing features:
Colour is best indicator. Greasy feel and luster are good as well, as is its relative softness.
Industrial/economical uses:
Primary ore of which molybdenum is mined. Usually alloyed with iron.

SulfidePyrite (crystalline)

FeS₂

Most distinguishing features:
Colour, hardness, streak and habit are best indicators. Gives off sparks when struck with a hard metal object.
Industrial/economical uses:
May be used as source of iron or sulfur, but not normally of economic value.

SulfidePyrite (massive)

FeS₂

Most distinguishing features:
Colour, hardness, streak and habit are best indicators. Gives off sparks when struck with a hard metal object.
Industrial/economical uses:
May be used as source of iron or sulfur, but not normally of economic value.

SulfideSphalerite

ZnS

Most distinguishing features:
Low specific gravity distinguishes it from galena, as does colour. Lustre also indicative.
Industrial/economical uses:
Main ore of which zinc is extracted.

SulfideStibnite

Sb₂S₃

Most distinguishing features:
Colour and small subhedral crystals are indicators. Also rather soft.
Industrial/economical uses:
Important source of antimony (Sb)