CRYSTAL FORM DEFINITION EXAMPLES

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

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.
Anatase
Crystal shapes include: Apophyllite
Chalcopyrite
 Four-sided prisms and Rutile
TETRAGONAL pyramids Scapolite
 Trapezohedrons Scheelite
 Eight-sided and double Wulfenite
pyramids Zircon
 Icosi-tetrahedron (pyrite,
sphalerite)
 Hexacisochedron (pyrite).

Three out of the four axes are in

one plane, of the same length, and
HEXAGONAL intersect each other at angles of 60 Apatite
degrees. The fourth axis is of a Aquamarine
different length and intersects the
others at right angles. Beryl
Based on a hexagonal (6-sided)
inner structure. Cancrinite
Crystal shapes include: Emerald

 Four-sided prisms and Goshenite

pyramids
 Twelve-sided pyramids  Morganite
Sugilite
  Double pyramids
Zincite

Three axes, all of different lengths, Alexandrite

are at right angles to each other. Andalusite (Chiastolite)
Based on a rhombic (diamond- Celestite
shaped) inner structure. Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl
Crystal shapes include: Danburite
Dumortierite
RHOMBIC  Pinacoids Enstatite
 Rhombic prisms Hemimorphite
 Pyramids  Iolite
 Double pyramids Tanzanite
Topaz

There are three axes, each of Azurite

different lengths. Two are at right Chrysocolla
angles to each other and the third is Diopside
inclined. Epidote
Based on a parallelogram inner Gypsum
structure. Hiddenite
Howlite
Crystal shapes include: Kunzite
Lazulite
MONOCLINIC Moonstone
 Basal pinacoids and
Muscovite (Mica)
prisms with inclined end
Petalite
faces
Serpentine
Spodumene
Staurolite
All three axes are of different Amazonite
lengths and inclined towards each Aventurine Feldspar
other. Kyanite
Based on a 'triclinic' inner Labradorite
structure, meaning 'three inclined Rhodonite
angles'. Turquoise
TRICLINIC
Crystal forms are usually paired
faces.
No crystal structure. Most of these Amber
are either cooled too quickly to Moldavite
crystallise - such as obsidian or Obsidian
moldavite, or are organic - such as
AMORPHOUS amber.

TYPES OF POLYMORPHISM
Enantiotrophy- the relation of two different forms of the same substance (such as two allotropic forms of tin) that
have a definite transition point and can therefore change reversibly each into the othe
Monotrophy- the relation of two different forms of the same substance (as white and red phosphorus) that have
no definite transition point since only one form (as red phosphorus) is stable and the change from the unstable
form to the stable form is irreversible

Refractive Index- Refractive index is the ratio of the velocity of light of a specified wavelength in air to its velocity
in the examined substance.
Polarization- the action of restricting the vibrations of a transverse wave, especially light, wholly or partially to one
direction.
Optical Rotation- the angle through which the plane of vibration of polarized light that traverses an optically
active substance is rotated