Common Sulfide Minerals Argentite--Ag2S Chalcocite-- Cu2S Bornite--Cu5FeS4 Galena--PbS Sphalerite--ZnS Chalcopyrite--CuFeS2 Greenockite--CdS Pyrrhotite--Fe1-xS Niccolite--NiAs Millerite--NiS Pentlandite--(Fe, Ni)S Covellite--CuS Cinnabar--HgS Realgar--AsS Orpiment--As2S3 Stibnite--Sb2S3 Bismuthinite--Bi2S3 Pyrite--FeS2 Cobaltite--(Co, Fe)AsS Marcasite--FeS2 Arsenopyrite--FeAsS Molybdenite--MoS2 Calverite--AuTe2 Sylvanite--(Au, Ag)Te2 Skutterudite--(Co, Ni)As The links above will take you to the Mineral Gallery website (http://www.galleries.com). Do you need help with the chemical symbols? Click here to go to Los Alamos National Laboratory's Chemistry Division's Periodic Table of the Elements. Think you already know the elements of the periodic table? Check your knowledge with this quiz.

The minerals that make up the sulfide class are composed of metal cations (+2 charge) combined with sulfur. The sulfides form an important class of minerals which includes the majority of the ore minerals. Most of the minerals in this class transmit light through them (are opaque) with distinctive colors and colored streaks. They form in environments low in oxygen. Molybdenite. Nearly 50% of all molybdium is used in making steel. As a pure metal, molybdenum is used because of its high melting temperatures (4,730 F.). Major producing countries are Canada, Chile, and the U.S. Pyrite. The most common and widespread of the sulfide minerals. It is also known as fools gold. Stibnite. The chief ore of antimony. The largest crystals have come from Iyo, Island of Shikoku, Japan. Both have weighed about 7 kg. Sphalerite. The most important ore mineral of zinc which is used to make brass, electric batteries, and zinc white.

Mineral Groups