1. Mineral Crystal Systems
Identification Tips and Hints

2. Isometric Also called the Cubic Crystal System
Examples: Halite Magnetite Pyrite

3. Hexagonal Six-sided prisms
When you look at the crystal on-end, the cross section is a hexagon.
Examples: Apatite Beryl Quartz Calcite

4. Tetragonal Similar to cubic crystals
Longer along one axis than the other
Forms double pyramids and prisms.
Example: Zircon

5. Orthorombic
These crystals result by stretching a cubic lattice structure.
A rectangular prism with a rectangular base results.
Aragonite

6. Monoclinic
Rectangular Prism
Parallelogram base
Orthoclase

7. Triclinic 3 axes All of axes are unequal in length
None of the axes are right angles to each other.