SULFUR
Specimen sul-17
$ 38.00Dims: 2.4 x 1.6 x 1.5" (6.1 x 4.1 x 3.8 cm)
Wt: 2.87 oz. (81.5 g)
Vodninskoye Mine, Samara, Russia
Several native Sulfur crystals rest on the calcareous host rock of this specimen. The largest of these are intergrown with each other dimensions of 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.2" (1.0 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm), and the smaller ones do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) along any axis Two of these smaller crystals are obviously broken and incomplete, but the largest crystals are intact. Their orthorhombic prismatic form is good, and they almost appear to be twinned, but I do not think that they are. Both have well-defined edges and relatively clean faces that possess a bright, vitreous luster. Some areas on the crystals are somewhat disseminated and take on an almost skeletal form, but still retain a definite crystal shape. They have the classic deep yellow coloration of Sulfur, and are transparent and impressively clear. The base on which they rest appears to be made up of thin crusts of shale that are coated with thick layers of tiny, dogtooth calcite crystals that have a pale cream to a dark brown color.