Descriptive Crystallography for Gemologists

Crystal Systems Review

When crystals form, their atoms and molecules lock together in periodic arrays, much like three-dimensional wallpaper patterns. These arrays have various types of symmetry, so gemologists classify them into six major crystal systems:

• Isometric
• Tetragonal
• Orthorhombic
• Monoclinic
• Triclinic
• Hexagonal

Some mineralogists consider the trigonal subclass of the hexagonal system as a seventh crystal system.

Each crystal system is defined in terms of crystal axes and angles.

• Crystal axes are imaginary lines in space between the sides of the crystals. They intersect at a common point, and their lengths may be described as equal or unequal to each other.
• The crystal axes intersect each other at various angles, which further describe the crystal systems.

Terms such as octahedral (8-sided) and dodecahedral or pyritohedral (12-sided) are sometimes used to describe forms characteristic of specific crystal systems.

For more information on crystallography, see our article on crystal systems and mineral habits and our table of gems ordered by crystal system.

Descriptive Crystallography Based on Crystal Structures

Crystallography uses additional terms to describe the crystal structures exhibited by various mineral species. The following are some of the most frequently used descriptive terms.

Prismatic

Crystals that form in a prismatic structure have well-developed, elongated, prism-like crystal faces.

Bladed

A bladed crystal has slender and flattened blade-like formations rather than prism-like faces.

Acicular

Acicular crystal formations feature slender, possibly tapered, needle-like crystals.

Filiform

Filiform crystals are hair-like and extremely fine.

Equant

Sometimes referred to as stout crystals, equant crystals have lengths, widths, and breadths roughly equal in size.

Pyramidal

Crystals that form pyramidal structures resemble single or double pyramids.

Tabular

Tabular formations feature a tablet shape with crystals slightly longer than wider.

Descriptive Crystallography Based on Aggregation States

Crystallography uses other terms to describe crystals based on their aggregation states. These terms include the following.

Massive

A solid, chunky aggregate without noticeable crystalline shape (although the material is composed of crystals). This term refers to the aggregate's outward appearance, not its size.

Botryoidal

A cluster of round, grape-like aggregates.

Compact

A dense, solid aggregate.

Cleavable

Denotes a crystalline mass that can be cleaved.

Granular

Comprised of a mass of compact grains.

Stalactitic

Describes aggregates that resemble stalactites.

Oolitic

Aggregates comprised of masses of spherical grains.

Earthy

Aggregates made of masses of densely packed powder.

Descriptive Crystallography and Gem Formation

A mineral's growth process and formation environment largely determine its appearance. For example, minerals that form in sedimentary environments tend to be earthy, stalactitic, oolitic, and sometimes massive. On the other hand, igneous minerals tend to be crystalline or massive, sometimes cleavable.

Although these terms are somewhat subjective, they give gemologists a mental image of a mineral's appearance as it occurs in the Earth.