Chart: Basic Crystal Systems

Seven Basic Crystal Systems and Examples of Each
Crystal System	Diagram	Example
Cubic $a = b = c; ; alpha = beta = gamma = 90^circ$		Pyrite
Tetragonal $a = b ne c; ; alpha = beta = gamma = 90^circ$		Wulfenite
Orthorhombic $a ne b ne c; ; alpha = beta = gamma = 90^circ$		Aragonite
Monoclinic $a ne b ne c; ; alpha ne 90^circ = beta = gamma$		Azurite
Rhombohedral $a = b = c; ; alpha = beta = gamma ne 90^circ$		Calcite
Triclinic $a ne b ne c; ; alpha ne beta ne gamma ne 90^circ$		Microcline
Hexagonal $a = b ne c; ; alpha = beta = 90^circ, ; gamma = 120^circ$		Beryl

Click here to return to the main text