Comparison · Minerals vs Native Elements
Gypsum vs Sulfur
Gypsum and Sulfur are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 2, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Gypsum and Sulfur
- Both sit near Mohs 2, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Gypsum leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Sulfur leaves white to pale yellow.
- Luster is different: Gypsum is vitreous, pearly, or silky (fibrous), earthy when massive while Sulfur is resinous.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Gypsum is Transparent to translucent, Sulfur is transparent.
- They overlap in yellow and brown, but Gypsum also comes in clear, gray, and pink and Sulfur also comes in green.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Gypsum is Monoclinic, Sulfur is orthorhombic.
Gypsum vs Sulfur properties
| Property | Gypsum | Sulfur |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Native Elements |
| Mohs hardness | 2 | 2 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly, or silky (fibrous), earthy when massive | resinous |
| Streak | White | White to pale yellow |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.3–2.35 | 2.07 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic | orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Gray, Yellow, Brown, Pink | Yellow, Bright yellow, Yellowish brown, Greenish yellow |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $5–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Sulfur is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $20 for Gypsum, and premium Sulfur can reach $250 or more.
About Gypsum
Gypsum is a soft, common evaporite mineral, calcium sulfate dihydrate with the formula CaSO4·2H2O, that defines hardness 2 on the Mohs scale and can be scratched with a fingernail. It precipitates from evaporating saline water and occurs in forms ranging from transparent selenite crystals to fibrous satin spar and massive alabaster. Gypsum is also the principal raw material used to manufacture plaster of Paris and drywall.
About Sulfur
Sulfur is a native element famous for its bright yellow color. It forms blocky to dipyramidal crystals and earthy crusts around volcanic vents, hot springs, and salt domes, and has a distinctive resinous luster.
Gypsum vs Sulfur FAQ
Is Gypsum the same as Sulfur?
No. Gypsum is a mineral while Sulfur is a native element. Both sit near Mohs 2, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Gypsum from Sulfur?
Both sit near Mohs 2, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Gypsum leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Sulfur leaves white to pale yellow. Luster is different: Gypsum is vitreous, pearly, or silky (fibrous), earthy when massive while Sulfur is resinous.
Which is harder, Gypsum or Sulfur?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 2.
Which is more valuable, Gypsum or Sulfur?
Sulfur is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $20 for Gypsum, and premium Sulfur can reach $250 or more.
