2.2" Rough Bright Yellow Sulfur Crystal Mineral Specimen From Louisiana

Location: Sulfur, Louisiana, United States 

Weight: 4.9 Ounces 

Dimensions: 2.2 Inches Long, 2 Inches Wide, 1.9 Inches Thick

The item pictured is the one you will receive.  

Sulfur, particularly native sulfur, has been historically significant in Louisiana due to its unique geological formation and economic importance. The sulfur deposits in Louisiana are primarily associated with the caprock of salt domes, a geological structure common in the Gulf Coast region.

The formation of these sulfur deposits is a result of the bacterial reduction of anhydrite (calcium sulfate) within the caprock. This process, known as bacterial sulfate reduction, utilizes hydrocarbons as an energy source and produces hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide then reacts with oxygenated groundwater to form elemental sulfur. This biogenic origin distinguishes Louisiana's sulfur deposits from those formed by volcanic activity or other geological processes.

Early sulfur mining efforts in Louisiana were complicated by loose sediments and quicksand above the deposits. Herman Frasch’s development of the Frasch process revolutionized mining by injecting superheated water into sulfur-containing formations, melting the sulfur, which was then brought to the surface using compressed air. This process made sulfur extraction from difficult geological settings economically feasible and helped Louisiana become a leading sulfur producer worldwide for many years. The mined sulfur, known as "brimstone," was essential for producing sulfuric acid, fertilizers, chemicals, and explosives due to its high purity. Although direct sulfur mining in Louisiana has mostly ended because of economic changes and alternative sulfur sources from natural gas, the state's mining history and technological innovations remain vital to understanding its industrial and geological legacy.