HOMEWORK #1-A6/GEO101

OREJUDOS, Allyssa Jane B.

1. The six crystal systems

Six crystal systems have six different systems which helps classify a type of a

gem. The gems are all determined through observing three factors: (1) numbers

of axes, (2) span of the axes, and (3) angles of the axes. The six crystals were

made of formed minerals which could belong to any of the six crystal systems.

Crystal system includes isometric, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, triclinic,

and hexagonal crystal system.

a. Isometric crystal system

It is known for being the simplest among all system. Isometric system has

three axes while also having its similar lengths and has right angles. Due to

its axes lengths and angles, it is alone refractive. The examples of isometric

system are:

syl

vite halite.
b. Tetragonal crystal system

Tetragonal crystal system contains two equally horizontal axes and vertical

axis, however, does not contain similar lengths. Its horizontal axes are of the

same length while vertical axis could have different length, but its angles are

still right angles. The examples of tetragonal crystal system are the gems:

Wulfenite zircon

c. Orthorhombic System

With this, it has characteristics such as three axes with sides both

meet due to its right angles regardless of its different distances of its sides.

Its minerals may contain celestite, thanzanite, thulite, enstatite, and more. An

example for this system are:

 Topaz sulfur

d. Monoclinic System

On this system, monoclinic minerals not all sides may meet at 90 degrees.

Only two sides of it may meet at 90 degrees and its axes lengths are different

from each other. Its minerals may include azurite, crocoite, malachite, and

more. An example of monoclinic system are the crystals:

gypsum mica

e. Triclinic System

Its crystals may form in geometric shape but its ends does not meet in

uniform degrees and its axes’ lengths are also different from each other. The

minerals it might contain are rhodonite, axinite, microcline feldspar, and

more. The examples for triclinic systems are:

 kyanite turquoise

f. Hexagonal system

The system has six sides while its three axes are at the same

measurement.

These three axes dos meet at an angle of 60 degrees while its vertical axes

have different measurement which has an angle of 90 degrees connecting

with other axes. The hexagonal system has minerals that includes apatite,

zincite, taaffeite, and more. An example for this system are:

 Emerald graphite

2. Give two (2) examples of mineral for each crystal habit.

1. Platy- have characteristics such as being formed into thin and flat minerals.

The examples of this are (1) wulfenite and (2) mica.

2. Tabular- this are crystals which resembles to a plate and is like a plane. It has

measurements and breadths Which is often seen thicker than their own

thickness. An example mineral for tabular are (1) corundum and (2) feldspar.

3. Prismatic- are characterized as stretched out minerals that has faces

dissimilar from each other which are corresponding to each other. Also, it is

frequently striated together with their measurements. Example minerals for

prismatic are (1) quartz and (2) topaz.

4. Acicular- these are the crystals that have a thin and long-like spines form that

matches toward an edge or a side or a rounded end. The examples for these

minerals are (1) gypsum and (2) rutile.

5. Fibrous- are the minerals that which has growing-like fibers around them and

its habits also take in collections with a huge amount of equivalent or radiated

filaments. The examples for this mineral are (1) actinolite and (2) serpentine.

6. Dendritic- in this mineral, this has a characteristic of branching form which is

like the image of trees and leaves. The two example minerals for dendritic are

(1) copper and (2) manganese.

 7. Reniform- has a smooth texture and shape that is round. This is a kind of

mineral that has interconnecting kidney-shaped grassroots. The two

examples for this mineral are (1) hematite and (2) greenockite.

8. Botryoidal- this mineral name is utilized for gem totals that have a globular or

adjusted shape. This see traverses a region of the example around five

millimeters over. The example minerals for this are (1) hemimorphite and (2)

variscite.

9. Amygdaloidal – these are the minerals that resembles its shape and

appearance to almonds due to its color and texture. An example mineral for

this are (1) heulandite and (2) subhedral zircon.

10. Drusy- these precious stones are alluded to as a druse. The stone in the

photograph above has a drusy surface since it is secured by a layer of

uvarovite gems. The two examples minerals for this type of mineral are (1)

azurite and (2) uvarovite.

References:

Classzone. (n.d.). Six Crystal Systems. Retrieved August 25, 2020, from

http://www.classzone.com/vpg_ebooks/ml_earthscience_na/accessibility/ml_earth

science_na/page_99.pdf

What are Crystal Systems and Mineral Habits? (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2020, from

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/mineral-habits/

Crystal Habits and Forms of Minerals and Gems. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2020,

from https://geology.com/minerals/crystal-habit/