A L O G Y

MIN E R
S T E M S
T A L S Y
CR Y S
 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,
ISOMETRIC
 =  =  = 90° a b=a
Garnet, Diamond a=b=c

Unique Symmetry:
Four 3-fold axes
Tetragonal Wulfenite, Zircon,

System Chalcopyrite, Rutile


90°
90° 90°
 

TETRAGONAL
 =  =  = 90° ca
a b=a
a=bc

Unique Symmetry:
One 4-fold axis
 a
b=a


120°
90° 90°

c>a

Quartz, Beryl (Emerald),

Apatite, Graphite,
Corumdum (Ruby, Sapphire)

System HEXAGONAL
 = 120°,  =  = 90°
a=bc
Hexagonal

Unique Symmetry:
One 6-fold axis
Orthorhombic
System
Sulfur, Barite,

Olivine, Topaz


90°
90° 90°
 

ORTHORHOMBIC

 =  =  = 90°
ca abc a ba

Unique Symmetry:

Three 2-fold axes

Monoclinic

rite,
Talc
se,
ite, Azu
System

, Mica,
Orthocla
Malach
Gypsum

90°
90° 90°
 

MONOCLINIC

 =  = 90°,   90°
ca abc a ba

Unique Symmetry:
One 2-fold axis
Triclinic Unique Symmetry:
None

System
ca

 a
90° 
90°

 90°

ba

TRICLINIC
      90°
e
c las abc
io
P lag
e, te
is A lbi
o ,
u rqu anite
T Ky
 Crystal Systems

System Axes Angles Unique

Symmetry Diagram Examples

Isometric a=b=c ===90° Four 3-

fold Pyrite,
Halite, Galena, Garnet, Diamond,
Fluorite

Tetragonal a=bc ===90° One 4-fold

Wulfenite, Rutile, Zircon,
Chalcopyrite

Hexagonal a=bc =120°, ==90°

One 6-fold Quartz,
Beryl (Emerald), Apatite, Corundum
(Ruby, Sapphire)

Orthorhombic abc ===90° Three 2-

fold Sulfur,
Barite, Olivine, Topaz

Monoclinic abc ==90°, 90°

One 2-fold
Orthoclase, Malachite, Azurite,
 Crystal Systems
System Axes Angles Unique
Symmetry Diagram Examples

Isometric

Tetragonal

Hexagonal

Orthorhombic

Monoclinic

Triclinic