The typical shapes are rhombic prisms and pyramids. The hexagonal system has four crystallographic axes, three in one plane, all the same length, and intersecting each other at 120 degrees. The fourth axis is perpendicular to the plane of the other three and a different length than the other three. Typical crystal shapes are hexagonal prisms and pyramids. The monoclinic system has three axes of different lengths, two at right angles to each other and the third is inclined.
Triclinic system has three axes all of different lengths and all inclined to each other.
This system is the least symetrical and shapes are usually pinacoids. Gemstones of the world. Return to the Syllabus , Outline , or on to the next lecture . This page originates from the Earth Science department for the use and benefit of students enrolled at Emporia State University . You are currently the 00124th person to access this page since February 24, 2000.