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russorocks · Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Albuquerque

Are Sulphur Crystal Specimens on Matrix from Italy harder to find these days? If so, do you know why? I appreciate any information/feedback!
Thanks!
Guy

Jordi Fabre · Posted: Jan 16, 2007 09:32 Post subject: Re: Italian Sulphur

I'm afraid that yes, it is no easy to find good Sulfurs. Mines or quarries are closed and on the dumps considering the sensibility of the Sulfur to atmospheric agents is very hard to find anything. Only specimens coming from old collections are available actually, no new finds in Sicily unfortunately.

To this you should add the fact that some of the "classics" Sulfurs mined on the 70's are fake. Renato Pagano wrote an excellent article on the Mineralogical Record. You can view it following this link:

https://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6003903_ITM

Jordi

russorocks · Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Albuquerque

Jordi, Thanks for your very informative and instant reply! I really appreciate the informative link that you included. Wow, I am shocked to learn that some sulphurs were actually forged!!!! I am so glad to have purchased that very beautiful "1975" Italian Sulphur specimen from you at Tucson 2006!

One more question please: Is it safe to assume that since you said that there have not been any recent finds, that anything you see currently on the web saying "new find" might indeed be synthesized sulphur?

Thank you again for your wealth of information!
Guy

Jordi Fabre · Posted: Jan 16, 2007 12:19 Post subject: Re: Italian Sulphur

No Guy, the area is rich and large, and time to time some specimen is still found. Plus actually it would be rare offer synthesized Sulfurs because Renato already informed properly about it. I just said:

"Mines or quarries are closed and on the dumps considering the sensibility of the Sulfur to atmospheric agents is very hard to find anything"

but very hard don't means impossible, and considering the request existing for good Sulfurs, many people is digging there including old mine galleries or new "fumaroles" where always exist some chance to find something. So, no worries about "new finds" of Sulfur. It is a real possibility.

Jordi

russorocks · Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Albuquerque

Jordi,

All your enlightening information has helped to clarify my questions! I am so happy to have signed up with your forum, and I am certain it will continue to be quite a knowledge base for Mineral enthusiasts worldwide for many years to come!

Very Best to You!
Guy

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