Y

G
O
L
A
R
E
N
I
M

S
M
E
T
S
Y
S
L
A
T
S
Y
R
C

Symmetry
Mirror Plane = imaginary plane that
divides a crystal into halves, each of
which is the mirror image of the other

Axis of Rotation = imaginary

line through a crystal about which
the crystal may be rotated and
repeat itself in appearance (1,2,3,4
or 6 times during a complete
rotation)

Tips for creating

models
Write your name on each model BEFORE folding
and taping!
Cut into the pattern rather than around it.
Fold along each face intersection BEFORE taping
into place.
Have fun learning something new!

Isometric
System

c=a

90

90 90

Pyrite, Galena,
Halite, Fluorite,
Garnet, Diamond

ISOMETRIC

= = = 90
a=b=c

Unique Symmetry:
Four 3-fold axes

b=a

Tetragonal
System

Wulfenite, Zircon,

Chalcopyrite, Rutile

TETRAGONAL
= = = 90
a=bc

ca

Unique Symmetry:
One 4-fold axis

90
90 90

b=a

a
b=a

Apatite, Graphite,

Unique Symmetry:
One 6-fold axis

= 120, = = 90
a=bc

HEXAGONAL

Corumdum (Ruby, Sapphire)

90 90
Quartz, Beryl (Emerald),

c>a

120

Hexagonal
System

Orthorhombic
System

Sulfur, Barite,
Olivine, Topaz

90
90 90

ORTHORHOMBIC

ca

= = = 90
abc

Unique Symmetry:

Three 2-fold axes

ba

Orthocla
se,
Malach
ite, Azu
rite,
Gypsum
, Mica,
Talc

Monoclinic
System

90
90 90

MONOCLINIC

ca

= = 90, 90
abc

Unique Symmetry:
One 2-fold axis

ba

Triclinic
System

Unique Symmetry:
None

ca

90
e
las
c
o
gi
Pla
te
,
lbi
ise
A
o
,
rqu anite
Tu
Ky

90
abc

90

TRICLINIC

ba

90

Crystal Systems
System

Axes
Symmetry

Angles
Diagram

Unique
Examples

Isometric

a=b=c
===90 Four 3fold
Pyrite,
Halite, Galena, Garnet, Diamond,
Fluorite

Tetragonal

a=bc
===90 One 4-fold
Wulfenite, Rutile, Zircon,
Chalcopyrite

Hexagonal

a=bc
=120, ==90
One 6-fold
Quartz,
Beryl (Emerald), Apatite, Corundum
(Ruby, Sapphire)

Orthorhombic

abc
===90 Three 2fold
Sulfur,
Barite, Olivine, Topaz

Monoclinic

abc
==90, 90
One 2-fold
Orthoclase, Malachite, Azurite,

Crystal Systems
System

Isometric

Tetragonal

Hexagonal

Orthorhombic

Monoclinic

Triclinic

Axes
Symmetry

Angles
Diagram

Unique
Examples