Symmetry

Mirror Plane = imaginary plane that

divides a crystal into halves, each of
which is the mirror image of the other

Axis of Rotation = imaginary line

through a crystal about which the
crystal may be rotated and repeat
itself in appearance (1,2,3,4 or 6
times during a complete rotation)

Tips for creating models

Write your name on each model BEFORE folding
and taping!
Cut into the pattern rather than around it.
Fold along each face intersection BEFORE taping
into place.
Have fun learning something new!

Isometric
System

c=a

90

90 90

Pyrite, Galena,
Halite, Fluorite,
Garnet, Diamond

ISOMETRIC

= = = 90
a=b=c

Unique Symmetry:
Four 3-fold axes

b=a

Tetragonal
System

Wulfenite, Zircon,

Chalcopyrite, Rutile

90

TETRAGONAL
= = = 90
a=bc

ca

Unique Symmetry:
One 4-fold axis

90 90

b=a

a
b=a

Apatite, Graphite,

120

Hexagonal
System

Unique Symmetry:
One 6-fold axis

Corumdum (Ruby, Sapphire)

90 90
Quartz, Beryl (Emerald),

c>a

Orthorhombic
System

Sulfur, Barite,
Olivine, Topaz

90

90 90

ORTHORHOMBIC

ca

= = = 90
abc

Unique Symmetry:

Three 2-fold axes

ba

Monoclinic
System

90

90 90

MONOCLINIC

ca

= = 90, 90
abc

Unique Symmetry:
One 2-fold axis

ba

90

TRICLINIC

90
abc

90

ba

90

Triclinic
System

Unique Symmetry:
None

Crystal Systems
System

Axes

Angles

Unique Symmetry

Diagram

Examples

Isometric

a=b=c

===90

Four 3-fold

Pyrite, Halite, Galena, Garnet,

Diamond, Fluorite

Tetragonal

a=bc

===90

One 4-fold

Wulfenite, Rutile, Zircon,

Chalcopyrite

Hexagonal

a=bc

=120, ==90

One 6-fold

Quartz, Beryl (Emerald), Apatite,

Corundum (Ruby, Sapphire)

Orthorhombic

abc

===90

Three 2-fold

Sulfur, Barite, Olivine, Topaz

Monoclinic

abc

==90, 90

One 2-fold

Orthoclase, Malachite, Azurite,

Mica, Gypsum
, Talc

Triclinic

abc

90

None

Turquoise, Kyanite, Albite,

Plagioclase

Crystal Systems
System

Isometric

Tetragonal

Hexagonal

Orthorhombic

Monoclinic

Triclinic

Axes

Angles

Unique Symmetry

Diagram

Examples