3.6" Sulfur Crystals on Matrix - Bolivia

This is a cluster of lemon yellow sulfur crystals on a rock matrix, from the El Desierto Mine in Bolivia. The entire specimen is 3.6" long and 1.6" wide. A nearly one inch thick aggregation of sulfur crystals can be found covering the entirety of what could be considered the top of the specimen.

The El Desierto Sulfur Mine produces pockets of beautiful sulfur crystals like you see here. This mine is located in a volcanically active region of mountains in the Western Andes, along the border between Bolivia and Chile. The majority of sulfur coming out of the area's six original mines occurs more as a cementing agent in volcanic ash. However, the El Desierto Sulfur Mine is one of which good crystals like this are found.

The chemical composition of this vibrant mineral is S8, eight sulfur atoms bonded together to form a sulfur molecule. The crystal structures are typically tabular or blocky dipyramids that form in sedimentary rock.

One note on handling: sulfur crystals can crack when exposed to rapid changes in temperature.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Sulfur
LOCATION
El Desierto Mine, Potosí, Daniel Campos Province, Bolivia
SIZE
3.6 long, 1.6" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#51565