Crystallography

Crystallography

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Crystallography and Minerals Arranged by Crystal Form

Amorphous Isometric Tetragonal Orthorhombic Hexagonal Trigonal Monoclinic Triclinic
Amorphous Minerals Isometric (Cubic) Minerals Tetragonal Minerals Orthorhombic Minerals Hexagonal Minerals Trigonal Minerals Monoclinic Minerals Triclinic Minerals

Crystal Groups and Classes - Crystallography groups are composed of 32 classes of symmetry derived from observations of the external crystal form.  From these 32 classes, 230 space groups are distinguishable using x-ray analysis.  For additional information on crystal systems, please review an excellent on-line treatment of this subject, the Introduction to Crystallography and Mineral Crystal Systems by Mike and Darcy Howard.

Example Crystal Morphology - To further illustrate these symmetry elements, the example crystalline forms for each symmetry class were constructed using Faces (version 3.7) by Georges Favreau for older browsers and a JAVA language program called JCrystal by Steffen Weber for the java-capable browsers. In addition, Steffen Weber has a new version of JCrystal called KrystalShaper that can produce paper models of the example crystals.    The paper models for each crystal class have been reproduced in .pdf format (see below) and can be printed on heavy card stock to construct a physical model. Please note: the paper model forms may be simplified from the JCrystal forms to avoid overly-complicated cutting.

The example crystals in each group and class were constructed using the following parameters:

  • Crystallographic axes: a=1, b=1, c=1.
  • Forms: [214], [104], [024], [100], [010] (Color coded in all example crystals).

This morphology was used in all the crystal groups and classes for drawing the examples and the stereo images. The higher order forms were selected to best illustrate some of the subtle differences in the symmetry classes. Remember, most real crystals will probably not have similar forms when compared to the examples.

Table Crystallography (Mason 68, p18) - The thirty-two crystal classes are summarized by symmetry elements in the following table which is linked to:

  1. Example crystal images within the crystallography group in the yellow columns.
  2. Stereo crystal images/java example and mineral listings of each group and class in the green columns.
  3. JAVA crystal examples on the individual crystal classes for detailed study. Please note that the rotational inversion axes of 3,(3BAR) 4 (4BAR), and 6 (6BAR) may not be visible to older browsers which don't use cascading style sheets (.css).
System (1) Class Name (2)

AXES

Planes Center
Hermann-
Maugin
Symbols (3)
2-Fold 3-Fold 4-Fold 6-Fold
Isometric

 

 

Tetartoidal 3 4 - - - - 23
Diploidal 3 4 - - 3 yes 2/m 3
Hextetrahedral 3 4 - - 6 - 4 3m
Gyroidal 6 4 3 - - - 432
Hexoctahedral 6 4 3 - 9 yes 4/m 3 2/m
Tetragonal

 

 

 

Disphenoidal 1 - - - - - 4
Pyramidal - - 1 - - - 4
Dipyramidal - - 1 - 1 yes 4/m
Scalenohedral 3 - - - 2 - 4 2m
Ditetragonal pyramidal - - - - 4 - 4mm
Trapezohedral 4 - 1 - - - 422
Ditetragonal-Dipyramidal 4 - 1 - 5 yes 4/m 2/m 2/m
Orthorhombic

 

Pyramidal 1 - - - 2 - mm2
Disphenoidal 3 - - - - - 222
Dipyramidal 3 - - - 3 yes 2/m 2/m 2/m
Hexagonal

 

 

 

Trigonal Dipyramidal - 1 - - 1 - 6
Pyramidal - - - 1 - - 6
Dipyramidal - - - 1 1 yes 6/m
Ditrigonal Dipyramidal 3 1 - - 4 - 6m2
Dihexagonal Pyramidal - - - 1 6 - 6mm
Trapezohedral 6 - - 1 - - 622
Dihexagonal Dipyramidal 6 - - 1 7 yes 6/m 2/m 2/m
Trigonal

 

 

Pyramidal - 1 - - - - 3
Rhombohedral - 1 - - - yes 3
Ditrigonal Pyramidal - 1 - - 3 - 3m
Trapezohedral 3 1 - - - - 32
Hexagonal Scalenohedral 3 1 - - 3 yes 3 2/m
Monoclinic

 

Domatic - - - - 1 - m
Sphenoidal 1 - - - - - 2
Prismatic 1 - - - 1 yes 2/m
Triclinic Pedial - - - - - - 1
Pinacoidal - - - - - yes 1

ISOMETRIC - Mike and Darcy Howard's Details on The Cubic (Isometric) System

Isometric (Cubic) Crystal Classes

Crystal Axes Example Form Java Example Forms and Links to Mineral Listings Paper Models

wpe3B.jpg (11332 bytes)

Isometric
Crystallographic
Axes
Isometric Minerals Crystal Form Example

[214], [104], [024], [100], [010]

Class Unknown Mineral Listing
Paper Model of Isometric Form

Diploidal.gif (975 bytes)

Isometric
Diploidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (2/m 3)

Paper Model of Isometric Diploidal Form (2/m 3)

Gyroidal.gif (1126 bytes)

Isometric
Gyroidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4 3 2)

Paper Model of Isometric Gyroidal Form (4 3 2)

Hexoctahedral.gif (1104 bytes)

Isometric
Hexoctahedral Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4/m 3 2/m)

Paper Model of Isometric Hexoctahedral Form (4/m 3 2/m)

Isometric
Hextetrahedral Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4 3m)

Paper Model of Isometric Hextetrahedral Form (-4 3m)

Isometric
Tetartoidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (2 3)

Paper Model of Isometric Tetartoidal Form (2 3)

TETRAGONAL - Mike and Darcy Howard's Details on The Tetragonal System

Tetragonal Crystal Classes

Crystal Axes Example Form Java Example Forms and Links to Mineral Listings Paper Models

Tetragonal.gif (2030 bytes)

Tetragonal
Crystallographic
Axes
Tetragonal Mineral Crystal Form Example

[214], [104], [024], [100], [010]

Class Unknown Mineral Listing
Paper Model of Tetragonal Form

Tet-dipyrimidal.gif (804 bytes)

Tetragonal
Dipyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4/m)

Paper Model of Tetragonal Dipyramidal Form (4/m)

Tet-disphenoidal.gif (734 bytes)

Tetragonal
Disphenoidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4)

Paper Model of Tetragonal Disphenoidal Form (-4)

Tet-ditetragonal dipyramidal.gif (853 bytes)

Tetragonal
Ditetragonal Dipyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4/m 2/m 2/m)

Paper Model of Tetragonal Ditetrangonal Dipyramidal Form (4/m 2/m 2/m)

Tet-pyramidal.gif (852 bytes)

Tetragonal
Pyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4)

Paper Model of Tetragonal Pyramidal Form (4)

Tet-ditetragonal_pyramidal.gif (984 bytes)

Tetragonal
Ditetragonal-pyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4mm)

Paper Model of Tetragonal Ditetragonal-pyramidal Form (4mm)

Tet-scalenohedral.gif (814 bytes)

Tetragonal
Scalenohedral Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (4 2m)

Paper Model of Tetragonal Scalenohedral Form (-4 2m)

Tet-trapezohedral.gif (817 bytes)

Tetragonal
Trapezohedral Mineral
H-M Symbol (4 2 2)

Paper Model of Tetragonal Trapezohedral Form (4 2 2)

ORTHORHOMBIC - Mike and Darcy Howard's Details on The Orthorhombic System

Orthorhombic Crystal Classes

Crystal Axes Example Form Java Example Forms and Links to Mineral Listings Paper Models

Orthorhombic.gif (1747 bytes)

Orthorhobic
Crystallographic
Axes
Orthorhombic Minerals Crystal Form Example

[214], [104], [024], [100], [010]

Class Unknown Mineral Listing.
Paper Model Orthorhombic Form

Ortho-dipyramidal.gif (817 bytes)

Orthorhombic
Dipyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (2/m 2/m 2/m)

Paper Model of Orthorhombic Dipyramical Form (2/m 2/m 2/m)

Ortho-disphenoidalgif.gif (859 bytes)

Orthorhombic
Disphenoidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (2 2 2)

Paper Model Orthorhombic Disphenoidal Form (2 2 2)

Ortho-pyramidal.gif (884 bytes)

Orthorhombic
Pyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (mm2)

Paper Model Orthorhombic Pyramidal Form (mm2)

HEXAGONAL - Mike and Darcy Howard's Details on The Hexagonal System (Hexagonal Division)

Hexagonal Crystal Classes

Crystal Axes Example Form Java Example Forms and Links to Mineral Listings Paper Models
Hexagonal.gif (2087 bytes)
Hexagonal
Crystallographic
Axes
Hexagonal Minerals Crystal Form Example.

[214], [104], [024], [100], [010]

Class Unknown Mineral Listing.
Paper Model of Hexagonal Form

Hex-dihexagonal-dipyramidal .gif (859 bytes)

Hexagonal
Dihexagonal Dipyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (6/m 2/m 2/m)

Paper Model of Hexagonal Dihexagonal Dipyramidal Form (6/m 2/m 2/m)

Hex-dihexagonal-pyramidal.gif (877 bytes)

Hexagonal
Dihexagonal Pyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (6mm)

Paper Model of Hexagonal Dihexagonal Pyramidal Form (6mm)

Hex-dipyramidal.gif (768 bytes)

Hexagonal
Dipyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (6/m)

Paper Model of Hexagonal Dipyramidal Form (6/m)

Hex-ditrigonal-dipyramidal.gif (938 bytes)

Hexagonal
Ditrigonal Dipyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (6 m2)

Paper Model of Hexagonal Ditrignal Dipyramidal Form (-6 m2)

Hex-pyramidal.gif (806 bytes)

Hexagonal
Pyramidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (6)

Paper Model of Hexagonal Pyramidal Form (6)

Hex-trapezohedral.gif (751 bytes)

Hexagonal
Trapezohedral Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (6 2 2)

Paper Model of Hexagonal Trapexohedral Form (6 2 2)

Hex-trigonal-dipyramidal.gif (751 bytes)

Hexagonal
Trigonal Dipyramidal Mineral
H-M Symbol (6)

Paper Model of Hexagonal Dipyramidal Form (-6)

TRIGONAL - Mike and Darcy Howard's Details on The Hexagonal System (Trigonal Division)

Trigonal Crystal Classes

Crystal Axes Example Form Java Example Forms and Links to Mineral Listings Paper Models

Hexagonal.gif (2087 bytes)

Trigonal
Crystallographic
Axes
Trigonal Minerals Crystal Form Example.

[214], [104], [024], [100], [010]

Class Unknown Mineral Listing.
Paper Model of Trigonal Form

Trig-ditrigonal-pyramidal.gif (890 bytes)

Trigonal
Ditrigonal Pyramidal Mineral Listing and Stereo image.
H-M Symbol (3m)

Paper Model of Trigonal Ditrigonal Pyramidal Form (3m)

Trig-hexagonal-scalenohedral.gif (831 bytes)

Trigonal
Hexagonal Scalenohedral Mineral Listing and Stereo image.
H-M Symbol (3 2/m)

Paper Model of Trigonal Hexagonal Scalenohedral Form (-3 2/m)

Trig-pyramidal.gif (889 bytes)

Trigonal
Pyramidal Mineral Listing and Stereo image.
H-M Symbol (3)

Paper Model of Trigonal Pyramidal Form (3)

Trig-rhombohedral.gif (743 bytes)

Trigonal
Rhombohedral Mineral Listing and Stereo image.
H-M Symbol ( 3)

Paper Model of Trigonal Rhombohedral Form (-3)

Trig-trapezohedral.gif (708 bytes)

Trigonal
Trapezohedral Mineral Listing and Stereo image.
H-M Symbol (3 2)

Paper Model of Trigonal Traphezohedral Form (3 2)

MONOCLINIC - Mike and Darcy Howard's Details on The Monoclinic System

Monoclinic Crystal Classes

Crystal Axes Example Form Java Example Forms and Links to Mineral Listings Paper Models

Monoclinic.gif (2021 bytes)

Monoclinic
Crystallographic
Axes
β <> 90°
Monoclinic Minerals Crystal Form Example.

[214], [104], [024], [100], [010]

Class Unknown Mineral Listing.
Paper Model Monoclinic Form

Mono-domatic.gif (829 bytes)

Monoclinic
Domatic Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (m)

Paper Model Monoclinic Domatic Form (m)

Mono-prismatic.gif (743 bytes)

Monoclinic
Prismatic Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (2/m)

Paper Model Monoclinic Prismatic Form (2/m)

Mono-sphenoidal.gif (707 bytes)

Monoclinic
Sphenoidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (2)

Paper Form Monoclinic Sphenoidal Form (2)

TRICLINIC - Mike and Darcy Howard's Details on The Triclinic System

Triclinic Crystal Classes

Crystal Axes Example Form Java Example Forms and Links to Mineral Listings Paper Models

triclinic.gif (2084 bytes)

Triclinic
Crystallographic
Axes
α,β,γ <> 90
Triclinic Minerals Crystal Form Example.

[214], [104], [024], [100], [010]

Class Unknown Mineral Listing.
Paper Model Triclinic Form

Tri-pedial.gif (783 bytes)

Triclinic
Pedial Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol (1)

Paper Model Tricllinic Pedial Form (1)

Tri-pinacoidal.gif (783 bytes)

Triclinic
Pinacoidal Mineral Listing
H-M Symbol ( 1)

Paper Model Pinacoidal Form (-1)

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