Sulfides

The sulfides are compounds of one or more metallic elements combined with the non-metallic element sulfur. The sulfur acts as a semi-metal when it combines to form a sulfide mineral.

In many sulfides, the semi-metals arsenic, antimony, selenium, and tellurium substitute for the sulfur. This causes the formation of subcategories in the sulfide group:

Simple Sulfides - The simple sulfides contain one or more true metals combined with sulfur.

Arsenides - Contain one or more true metals combined with arsenic.

Antimonides - Contain one or more true metals combined with antimony.

Tellurides - Contain one or more true metals combined with tellurium.

Selenides - Contain one or more true metals combined with selenium.

Sulfosalts - Contain one or more true metals, sulfur, and either antimony, arsenic, or bismuth. They are generally soft, have a metallic luster, and are heavy and uncommon.

The subcategories of this group are, for the most part, not scientifically distinguished (except for the sulfosalt group)

• Back to sulfide group list (all)
• Back to sulfide group list (subdivided)
• Back to sulfide group list (Dana)