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