7 types of Crystal Structure

1. Cubic crystal structure

In mineralogy and crystallography, a crystal structure is a unique arrangement
of atoms or molecules in a crystalline liquid or solid. A crystal structure describes a
highly ordered structure, occurring due to the intrinsic nature of molecules to form
symmetric patterns. A crystal structure can be thought of as an infinitely repeating array
of 3D 'boxes', known as unit cells. The unit cell is calculated from the simplest possible
representation of molecules, known as the asymmetric unit. The asymmetric unit is
translated to the unit cell through symmetry operations, and the resultant crystal lattice
is constructed through repetition of the unit cell infinitely in 3-dimensions. Patterns are
located upon the points of a lattice, which is an array of points repeating periodically in
three dimensions. The lengths of the edges of a unit cell and the angles between them
are called the lattice parameters. The symmetry properties of the crystal are embodied in
its space group.
A crystal whose lattice has a unit cell with perpendicular axes of equal length.

2. Orthorhombic Crystal Structure

In crystallography,

the orthorhombic crystal

system is

one

of

the

seven

lattice point groups. Orthorhombic lattices result from stretching a cubic lattice along
two of its orthogonal pairs by two different factors, resulting in a rectangular prism with
a rectangular base (a by b) and height (c), such that a, b, and c are distinct. All three bases
intersect at 90 angles. The three lattice vectors remain mutually orthogonal.

3. Tetragonal Crystal Structure

In crystallography, the tetragonal crystal system is one of the 7 lattice point
groups. Tetragonal crystal lattices result from stretching a cubic lattice along one of its
lattice vectors, so that the cube becomes a rectangular prism with a square base (a by a)
and height (c, which is different from a).
There are two tetragonal crystal structure types. Bravais lattices: the simple tetragonal
(from stretching the simple-cubic lattice) and the centered tetragonal (from stretching

either the face-centered or the body-centered cubic lattice). One might suppose
stretching face-centered cubic would result in face-centered tetragonal, but facecentered tetragonal is equivalent to body-centered tetragonal, BCT (with a smaller
lattice spacing). BCT is considered more fundamental, so that is the standard
terminology.

4. Hexagonal Crystal Structure

Minerals of the hexagonal crystal system are referred to three crystallographic
axes which intersect at 120 and a fourth which is perpendicular to the other three. This
fourth

axis
The

hexagonal

is

usually
crystal

system

depicted
is

vertically.
divided

into

the hexagonal and rhombohedral or trigonal divisions. All crystals of the hexagonal
division possess a single 6-fold axis of rotation. In addition to the single 6-fold axis of
rotation, crystals of the hexagonal division may possess up to six 2-fold axes of rotation.
They may demonstrate a center of inversion symmetry and up to seven mirror planes.
Crystals of the trigonal division all possess a single 3-fold axis of rotation rather than
the 6-fold axis of the hexagonal division. Crystals of this division may possess up to
three 2-fold axes of rotation and may demonstrate a center of inversion and up to three
mirror

planes.

Minerals species which crystallize in the hexagonal division are apatite, beryl, and
high quartz. Minerals of this division tend to produce hexagonal prisms and pyramids.
Example species which crystallize in the rhombohedral division are calcite, dolomite,
low quartz, and tourmaline. Such minerals tend to produce rhombohedra and
triangular prisms.

5. Rhombohedral Crystal Structure

In crystallography, the trigonal crystal system is one of the seven crystal
systems, and the rhombohedral lattice systemis one of the seven lattice systems. They
are often confused with each other: crystals in the rhombohedral lattice system are
always in the trigonal crystal system, but some crystals such as quartz are in the trigonal
crystal system but not in the rhombohedral lattice system. The rhombohedral lattice
system consists of the rhombohedral lattice, while the trigonal crystal system consists of
the five point groups of the seven space groups with a rhombohedral lattice. There are

25 space groups, whose point groups are one of the five in the trigonal crystal system,
consisting of the seven space groups associated with the rhombohedral lattice system
together with 18 of the 45 space groups associated with the hexagonal lattice system.

6. Monoclinic Crystal Structure

Crystals of the monoclinic system are referred to three unequal axes. Two of
these axes are inclined toward each other at an oblique angle; these are usually depicted
vertically. The third axis is perpendicular to the other two. The two vertical axes
therefore do not intersect one another at right angles, although both are perpendicular
to

the

horizontal

axis.

Monoclinic crystals demonstrate a single 2-fold rotation axis and/or a single mirror
plane. The holomorphic class possesses the single 2-fold rotation axis, a mirror plane,
and a center of symmetry. Other classes display just the 2-fold rotation axis or just the
mirror

plane.

Mineral species which adhere to the monoclinic crystal system include pyroxene,
amphibole, orthoclase, azurite, and malachite, among many others. The minerals of the
monoclinic system tend to produce long prisms.

7. Triclinic Crystal Structure

Crystals of the triclinic system are referred to three unequal axes, all of which intersect
at oblique angles. None of the axes are perpendicular to any other axis.
Crystals of the triclinic system may be said to possess only a 1-fold symmetry axis,
which is equivalent to possessing no symmetry at all. Crystals of this system possess no
mirror planes. The holomorphic class demonstrates a center of inversion symmetry.
Mineral species of the triclinic class include plagioclase and axinite; these species
tend to be of tabular habit.