 A crystal structure or crystal system or atomic

structure is the orderly geometric spatial

arrangement of atoms in the internal
structure of a mineral
• There are 7 basic crystal systems

CUBIC/ISOMETRIC
TETRAGONAL
ORTHORHOMBIC
TRICLINIC
HEXAGONAL
RHOMBOHEDRAL/TRIGONAL
MONOCLINIC
Length & Angle

Classes

Symmetry Details
Plane of symmetry, Axis of symmetry, centre of symetry,
Fold of Symmetry

Form

Examples
 All sides equal (a = b = )
All angles equal & 90 (alpha, beta ,gamma)

Symmetry Elements
Centre of Symmetry Present
3 Axial Plane of Symmetry
6 Diagonal Plane of Symmetry
3 Crystallographic Axes of 4 Fold Symmetry
Forms
4 Diagonal Axes of 3 Fold Symmetry
1. Cube
6 Diagonal Axes of 2 Fold Symmetry
2. Octahedron
Grade of Symmetry – 23
3. Dodecahedron
4. Tetrahexahedron
5 Classes
5. Trioctahedron
6. Trapezohedron (24)
Examples – Galena,Flourite, Magnetite,
7. Hexaoctahedron
Garnet
 Two sides equal (a = b = )
All angles equal & 90 (alpha, beta ,gamma)

Symmetry Elements
Centre of Symmetry Present
1 Horizontal Plane of Symmetry
4 Vertical Plane of Symmetry
1 Vertical Axes of 4 Fold Symmetry
Forms
4 Horizontal Axes of 2 Fold Symmetry
1. Basal Pinacoid
Grade of Symmetry – 11
2. Prisms – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
3. Pyramids – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
7 Classes

Examples – Zircon, Apophyllite

 No sides equal (a = b = )
All angles equal & 90 (alpha, beta ,gamma)

Symmetry Elements
Centre of Symmetry Present
3 Axial Planes of Symmetry
3 Crystallographic Axes of 2 Fold Symmetry
Grade of Symmetry – 7
Forms
1. Macro Pinacoid
3 Classes
2. Brachy Pinacoid
3. Basal Pinacoid
Examples – Topaz, Olivine, Sulphite
4. Prisms
5. Pyramids
6. Domes
 No sides equal
Two Angles equal & 90

Symmetry Elements
Centre of Symmetry Present
2 Planes of Symmetry
Forms 1 Crystallographic Axes of 2 Fold Symmetry
1. Ortho Pinacoid Grade of Symmetry – 3
2. Clino Pinacoid
3. Basal Pinacoid 3 Classes
4. Prisms
5. Pyramids Examples – Gypsum, Orthoclase, Amphiboles
6. Domes
 No sides equal
Two Angles equal & 90

Symmetry Elements
Centre of Symmetry Present
No Planes of Symmetry
Forms No Fold of Symmetry
1. Macro Pinacoid Grade of Symmetry – 1
2. Brachy Pinacoid
3. Basal Pinacoid 2 Classes
4. Prisms
5. Pyramids Examples – Albite, Rhodonite
6. Domes
 All sides equal
No Angle equal to 90

Symmetry Elements
Centre of Symmetry Present
3 Vertical Planes of Symmetry
Forms 3 Horizontal Axes of 2 Fold Symmetry
1. Scalenohedron 1 Vertical Axes of 2 Fold Symmetry
2. Prisms Grade of Symmetry – 8
3. Pyramids
5 Classes

Examples – Calcite, Dolomite. Quartz


Forms
1. Basal Pinacoid
2. Prisms – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
3. Pyramids – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Three sides equal, One unequal
Three angles equal & 120, One Angle is Vertical
Symmetry Elements
Centre of Symmetry Present
6 Vertical Planes of Symmetry
1 Horizontal Plane of Symmetry
6 Horizontal Axes of 2 Fold Symmetry
1 Vertical Axes of 6 Fold Symmetry
Grade of Symmetry – 15
7 Classes
Examples – Ice, Graphite, Indialite