Symmetry is a property of fundamental importance for a crystal.

It can be studied
with reference to three different characters, commonly called elements of symmetry.

These are:
1. A plane of symmetry;

2. An axis of symmetry, and,

3. Centre of symmetry.

1. A Plane of Symmetry:
Any imaginary plane passing through the centre of a crystal in such a way that it
divides the crystal in two exactly similar halves is called a plane of symmetry. In
other words, a plane of symmetry is said to exist in a crystal when for each face, edge
or solid angle there is another similar face, edge or solid angle occupying identical
position on the opposite side of this plane. (Fig. 10.4)

A crystal may possess one, two or more planes of symmetry, the highest number
being 9 (nine) occurring in the normal class of isometric system. Further, a plane of
symmetry may be described as axial, horizontal, vertical or diagonal depending upon
its position with reference to the outline of the crystal.
2. An Axis of Symmetry:
It is defined as an imaginary line in a crystal passing through its centre in such a way
that when a crystal is given a complete rotation along this line a certain crystal face
(taken as a reference face) comes to occupy the same position at least twice. In fact, it
may occupy the same position more than twice also.

The angle of rotation needed to bring a reference face to the same

position, that is, to repeat itself, defines the nature of the axis of
symmetry into one of four types:
(i) Axis of Binary or Two Fold Symmetry:
This requires that a crystal must be rotated by an angle of 180° to bring the reference
face occupy the same position. In other words, when the crystal is rotated about such
an axis, a given face makes its appearance only twice in one complete rotation.

(ii) Axis of Trigonal or Three Fold Symmetry:

It is that axis (imaginary line) on which a crystal must be rotated by an angle of 120°
for a reference face to occupy the same position again in space. In other words, a
reference face makes its appearance thrice in one complete rotation about such an
axis.

(iii) Axis of Tetragonal or Four fold Symmetry:

It is that axis on which the crystal must be rotated by an angle of 90° to bring a
reference face in the same position in space. Obviously, in such a case, reference face
will occupy the same position at least four times in one complete rotation.

(iv) Axis of Hexagonal or Six fold Symmetry:

In which a rotation of 60° is required to fulfill the condition of repetition of a
reference face. In such a case, a reference face will appear six times in one complete
rotation about the axis.

In a given crystal, there may be possible one or more axes of symmetry, some of
which may be of binary nature, other of trigonal and tetragonal nature and so on. The
highest number of axes of symmetry is thirteen (13), observed in normal class of
isometric system.

Centre of Symmetry:
A crystal is said to possess a centre of symmetry if on passing an imaginary line from
some definite face, edge or corner on one side of the crystal through its centre,
another exactly similar face or edge or corner is found on the other side at an equal
distance from the centre. Many crystals have no planes or axes of symmetry but do
possess a centre of symmetry. In other cases, the centre of symmetry may not be
there whereas the crystal may be symmetrical to a plane of symmet
The Seven Crystal Systems
The seven crystal systems are a method of classifying crystals according to their
atomic lattice or structure. The atomic lattice is a three dimensional network of atoms
that are arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The shape of the lattice determines not
only which crystal system the stone belongs to, but all of its physical properties and
appearance. In some crystal healing practices the axial symmetry of a crystal is
believed to directly influence its metaphysical properties. For example crystals in the
Cubic System are believed to be grounding, because the cube is a symbol of the
element Earth.
There are seven crystal systems or groups, each of which has a distinct atomic
lattice. Here we have outlined the basic atomic structure of the seven systems, along
with some common examples of each system.

Cubic System
Also known as the isometric system. All three axes are of equal length and intersect
at right angles. Based on a square inner structure.
Crystal shapes include:

 Cube (diamond, fluorite, pyrite)

 Octahedron (diamond, fluorite, magnetite)
 Rhombic dodecahedron (garnet, lapis lazuli rarely crystallises)
 Icosi-tetrahedron (pyrite, sphalerite)
 Hexacisochedron (pyrite).
Common Cubic Crystals:
Diamond
Fluorite
Garnet
Gold
Pyrite
Silver
Spinel

Tetragonal System
Two axes are of equal length and are in the same plane, the main axis is either
longer or shorter, and all three intersect at right angles.
Based on a rectangular inner structure.
Crystal shapes include:

 Four-sided prisms and pyramids

 Trapezohedrons
 Eight-sided and double pyramids
 Icosi-tetrahedron (pyrite, sphalerite)
 Hexacisochedron (pyrite).

Common Tetragonal Crystals:

Anatase
Apophyllite
Chalcopyrite
Rutile
Scapolite
Scheelite
Wulfenite
Zircon
Hexagonal System
Three out of the four axes are in one plane, of the same length, and intersect each
other at angles of 60 degrees. The fourth axis is of a different length and intersects
the others at right angles.
Based on a hexagonal (6-sided) inner structure.
Crystal shapes include:

 Four-sided prisms and pyramids

 Twelve-sided pyramids
 Double pyramids

Common Hexagonal Crystals:

Apatite
Aquamarine
Beryl
Cancrinite
Emerald
Goshenite
Morganite
Sugilite
Zincite

Trigonal System
(Rhombohedral System) - Axes and angles in this system are similar to the
Hexagonal System, and the two systems are often combined as Hexagonal. In the
cross-section of a Hexagonal crystal, there will be six sides. In the cross-section of a
Trigonal crystal there will be three sides.
Based on a triangular inner structure.
Crystal shapes include:

 Three-sided prisms or pyramids

 Rhombohedra
 Scalenohedra
Common Trigonal Crystals:
Agate
Amethyst
Aventurine
Calcite
Carnelian
Citrine
Hematite
Jasper
Phenakite
Quartz
Rhodochrosite
Rose Quartz (rarely crystallises)
Ruby
Sapphire
Smoky Quartz
Tigers Eye
Tourmaline

Orthorhombic System
(Rhombic System)Three axes, all of different lengths, are at right angles to each
other.
Based on a rhombic (diamond-shaped) inner structure.
Crystal shapes include:

 Pinacoids
 Rhombic prisms
 Pyramids
 Double pyramids

Common Orthorhombic Crystals:

Alexandrite
Andalusite (Chiastolite)
Celestite
Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl
Danburite
Dumortierite
Enstatite
Hemimorphite
Iolite
Tanzanite
Topaz
Zoisite
Monoclinic System
There are three axes, each of different lengths. Two are at right angles to each other
and the third is inclined.
Based on a parallelogram inner structure.
Crystal shapes include:

 Basal pinacoids and prisms with inclined end faces

Common Monoclinic Crystals:

Azurite
Chrysocolla
Diopside
Epidote
Gypsum
Hiddenite
Howlite
Kunzite
Lazulite
Moonstone
Muscovite (Mica)
Petalite
Serpentine
Spodumene
Staurolite
Vivianite
Triclinic System
All three axes are of different lengths and inclined towards each other.
Based on a 'triclinic' inner structure, meaning 'three inclined angles'.
Crystal forms are usually paired faces.
Common Triclinic Crystals:
Amazonite
Aventurine Feldspar
Kyanite
Labradorite
Rhodonite
Turquoise
Amorphous
No crystal structure. Most of these are either cooled too quickly to crystallise - such
as obsidian or moldavite, or are organic - such as amber.
Common Amorphous Minerals:
Amber
Moldavite
Obsidian

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