What is a crystal?

If the atoms or ions that compose it are

arranged in a regular way (i.e, a crystal has
internal order due to the periodic
arrangement of atoms in three dimensions)
is called crystal.

CRYSTAL HABIT?
Crystal habit is a description of the shapes and
aggregates that a certain mineral is likely to form.
Often this is the most important characteristic to
examine when identifying a mineral. Although
most minerals do have different forms, they are
sometimes quite distinct and common only to one
or even just a few minerals. Many collectors strive
to collect mineral specimens of certain typical and
abnormal habits.

Kinds

The Pedion
The Pinacoid
The Dome
The Sphenoid
The Prism
The Pyramid

 The Pedion
In a mineral with low symmetry, a pedion is a possible
face. It is a flat face that is not parallel or
geometrically linked to any other faces. It can be
found on the top of prismatic crystals that lack a
perpendicular mirror plane or a two fold rotational
axes. Elbaite is a mineral known to form a pedion
face. The pedion is possible only on minerals that lack
symmetry operations parallel to the pedion face and
lack a center.
^

The Pinacoid
The pinacoid is composed of only two parallel faces.

Pinacoid

Symmetry
"Symmetry" refers to sameness. Here are
some examples of symmetric patterns of
objects to illustrate symmetry!

symmetry

Unit cell
The Unit cell is the basic building block for a
crystal. In order to understand this concept, think
of the unit cell as being like a brick in a wall (if
the wall is built by stacking bricks directly upon
one another).
The shape of the unit cell is described in terms of
the lengths of the cell edges and angles between
the cell edges. The unit cell contents are specified
in terms of where individual atoms are located
within this volume.

unit cell.
The basic arrangement of atoms that
describes the crystal structure is identified.
This is termed the unit cell.

Mineral Classification
Minerals are classified based on their chemical
composition and crystal structure.

Quartz

Spinel
Calcite

Introduction to Crystallography
The study of crystals and the laws that govern
their growth, external shape and internal
structure is called crystallography.
A crystal may possess only certain combinations
of symmetry elements. Based on their
symmetry elements mineral crystals are
grouped into 6 crystal systems. Every mineral
belongs to one of these crystal classes.

Introduction to Crystallography
Minerals belonging to the same crystal system
have the same shaped unit cell.

Introduction to Crystallography
Minerals belonging to the same crystal system
have the same shaped unit cell.

Introduction to Crystallography
The Unit Cell is the basic building block for a crystal

The shape of the unit cell is described in terms of the

lengths of the cell edges (a, b, c) and the angles
between the cell edges (,,

Introduction to Crystallography
The Unit Cell

Two-dimensional projection of the crystal structure

for the mineral quartz (Dimensions: ~ 25 20) .
The blue spheres represent Si (silicon) atoms and
the red spheres represent O (oxygen) atoms.

Introduction to Crystallography
The Unit Cell

Two-dimensional projection of the crystal structure

for the mineral quartz (Dimensions: ~ 25 20) .
The blue spheres represent Si (silicon) atoms and
the red spheres represent O (oxygen) atoms.

Introduction to Crystallography
The Unit Cell

Three-dimensional projection of the crystal structure

for the mineral quartz (Dimensions: ~ 25 20) .
The blue spheres represent Si (silicon) atoms and
the red spheres represent O (oxygen) atoms.

Introduction to Crystallography
The Unit Cell

Introduction to Crystallography
Symmetry
Quartz

Introduction to Crystallography
Symmetry
When the faces of a crystal can be arranged in a repetitive
and regular pattern around the center of the crystal, the
crystal has symmetry.
If you look at crystals closely they will show a repetition, or
symmetry, of crystal faces and angles.
These operations are movements of the crystal that, when
completed, the crystal will look the same as when you
started.

Introduction to Crystallography
Symmetry
Symmetry Axis of Rotation

1-fold, 2-fold,axis

Introduction to Crystallography
Symmetry
Reflection Across a Plane

mirror plane

Introduction to Crystallography
Symmetry
Symmetry Axis of Rotary Inversion

Introduction to Crystallography
The Six Crystal Stystems

uniaxial
biaxial

Isometric (cubic)
Hexagonal
Tetragonal
Orthorhombic
Mononclinic
Triclinic

optically isotropic
optically anisotropic

Y
G
O
L
A
R
E
N
I
M

S
M
E
T
S
Y
S
L
A
T
S
Y
R
C

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

TETRAGONAL
= = = 90
a=bc

ca

Unique Symmetry:
One 4-fold axis

90
90 90

b=a

a
b=a

Apatite, Graphite,

Unique Symmetry:
One 6-fold axis

= 120, = = 90
a=bc

HEXAGONAL

Corumdum (Ruby, Sapphire)

90 90
Quartz, Beryl (Emerald),

c>a

120

Hexagonal
System

Orthorhombic
System

Sulfur, Barite,
Olivine, Topaz

90
90 90

ORTHORHOMBIC

ca

= = = 90
abc

Unique Symmetry:

Three 2-fold axes

ba

Orthocla
se,
Malach
ite, Azu
rite,
Gypsum
, Mica,
Talc

Monoclinic
System

90
90 90

MONOCLINIC

ca

= = 90, 90
abc

Unique Symmetry:
One 2-fold axis

ba

Triclinic
System

Unique Symmetry:
None

ca

90
e
las
c
o
gi
Pla
te
,
lbi
ise
A
o
,
rqu anite
Tu
Ky

90
abc

90

TRICLINIC

ba

90

Crystal Systems
System

Axes
Symmetry

Angles
Diagram

Unique
Examples

Isometric

a=b=c
===90 Four 3fold
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 2fold
Sulfur,
Barite, Olivine, Topaz

Monoclinic

abc
==90, 90
One 2-fold
Orthoclase, Malachite, Azurite,

Crystal Systems
System

Isometric

Tetragonal

Hexagonal

Orthorhombic

Monoclinic

Triclinic

Axes
Symmetry

Angles
Diagram

Unique
Examples

END