Sulfide Minerals
Sulfides pair a metal with sulfur, and they include most of the world's important ore minerals. They are typically metallic, heavy and soft, with a dark streak, and several tarnish to iridescent colors. Pyrite, the classic fool's gold, is the most familiar.
Mohs hardness in this group runs from 1.25 to 6.
All sulfide minerals (6)
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common sulfide minerals?
The most searched sulfide minerals in the StoneSnap database are Marcasite, Molybdenite, Orpiment, Realgar, and Sphalerite.
How do you identify sulfide minerals?
Start with luster and color, then bracket the Mohs hardness with a scratch test and check the streak on unglazed porcelain. Mohs hardness in this group runs from 1.25 to 6. Each entry below lists the diagnostic properties and its common look-alikes.
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