2.4" Sulfur Crystals on Selenite - Italy

This is a beautiful cluster of small, lemon-yellow sulfur crystals on a bed of grey selenite crystals. It comes from the Muculufa Mine in Italy, and is accompanied by an acrylic display case.

Selenite is a variety of gypsum, a soft sulfate mineral that is composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4 · H2O). When chemically pure, gypsum is transparent and colorless, however, impurities give the gypsum a diverse range of colors and formations. Desert rose, selenite and satin spar are just a few of the varieties of gypsum known to have formed though hydrothermal processes.

The chemical composition of sulfur crystal is S8, meaning 8 sulfur atoms bonded together to form a sulfur molecule. The crystal structure is typically tabular or as blocky dipyramids that form in sedimentary rock.