Image courtesy of
Mineralogy Database.
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| Khaidarkanite
Image courtesy of Mineralogy Database. |
Most minerals can be categorized by their outward crystal shape. This shape is based on the atomic structure within the crystal. There are six crystal systems and although some count the rhombohedral or trigonal subdivision as the seventh crystal system. The difference between the crystal systems is determined by crystallographic axes and angles. (Chesterman) |
| Isometric System | All three axes have the same length and intersect at right angles. |
| Tetragonal System | All three axes intersect at right angles; two are the same length while the third is either shorter or longer. |
| Orthorhombic System | All three axes intersect at right angles and all axes are of unequal length. |
| Triclinic System | All three axes are of unequal length and do not intersect at right angles. |
| Monoclinic System | All three axes are of unequal length and two of them intersect at right angles while the third does not. |
| Hexagonal System | Three axes are on the same plane. They intersect at an angle of 120 degrees and are the same length. A fourth axis is intersecting at a right angles and is a different length. |
| Trigonal System | Axes and angles are similar to the hexagonal system. The difference is that in the hexagonal system, the prism is six sided and in the trigonal system, it a three sided prism. |
Diagram taken from http://www.rockhounds.com/ rockshop/xtal/part3.html. |
Diagram taken from http://www.rockhounds.com/ rockshop/xtal/part4.html. |
Diagram taken from http://www.rockhounds.com/ rockshop/xtal/part5.html. |
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Triclinic System
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Monoclinic System
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Hexagonal System
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Trigonal System
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Created by Patrick Laird for GO336 Mineralogy at Emporia State University, November 11, 2002.
copyright 2002 Patrick Laird. All rights reserved.
