Sulfides

 

The minerals that make up the sulfide class are composed of metal cations (+2 charge) combined with sulfur. The sulfides form an important group of minerals which includes the majority of the ore minerals for iron, copper, nickel, lead, cobalt, zinc, and silver.

Most of the minerals in this class allow light to transmit through them (are opaque) with distinctive colors and colored streaks. The majority of these minerals in this class are also metallic, tend to have high densities, low hardness, exhibit electrical conductivity, and black or dark-colored streaks. They form in igneous environments.

Minerals

Argentite
Arsenopyrite
Bornite
Chalcocite
Chalcopyrite
Cinnabar
Covellite
Galena
Greenockite
Marcasite
Millerite
Molybdenite
Niccolite
Orpiment
Pentlandite
Pyrite
Pyrrhotite
Realgar
Skutterudite
Sphalerite
Stibnite

Mineral Photos courtesy of R.Weller/Cochise College