2.4" Rough Bright Yellow Sulfur Crystal Mineral Specimen From Louisiana

Location: Sulfur, Louisiana, United States 

Weight: 3.1 Ounces 

Dimensions: 2.4 Inches Long, 2.2 Inches Wide, 1.6 Inches Thick

The item pictured is the one you will receive.  

Native Sulfur has held historical importance in Louisiana because of its unique geological formation and economic value. These sulfur deposits are mainly found in the caprock of salt domes, geological structures typical of the Gulf Coast. They form through bacterial reduction of anhydrite within the caprock, a process that uses hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen sulfide. This hydrogen sulfide reacts with oxygen-rich groundwater to create elemental sulfur, giving Louisiana’s sulfur a biogenic origin distinct from volcanic sources. Early mining efforts were challenging due to loose sediments and quicksand, but the Frasch process, developed by Herman Frasch, transformed sulfur extraction. This technique injects superheated water to melt the sulfur, which is then brought to the surface with compressed air. The Frasch process enabled Louisiana to become a leading sulfur producer for decades. The sulfur, known as brimstone, was essential for making sulfuric acid, fertilizers, chemicals, and explosives, prized for its high purity. Although direct sulfur mining has mostly ended due to economic shifts and new sulfur sources, Louisiana’s sulfur deposits and mining innovations remain key to the state’s industrial and geological history.