Crystalline Systems

By Author: Alain Darbellay GGGems
Total Articles: 11
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7 systems of crystallization: There are 32 possibilities of combinations of the elements of symmetry (axis of
rotation, symmetry plane, centers combined inversion and operations).
Since the discovery of the crystals reticular structure, one could show by calculation that to these 32 classes
which relate to the shapes of the crystals, correspond 230 types of network.
One immediately realizes the complexity of the reasoning which should be made to know all the possible
combinations. The 32 classes are grouped in 7 systems. Here are the figures.


CUBIC SYSTEM QUADRATIC SYSTEM HEXAGONAL SYSTEM

Go to Garnet

Go to Zircon

Go to Apatite

Diamond, garnet, spinell. Zircon Beryl, Apatite

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TRIGONAL SYSTEM ORTHOROMBIC SYSTEM MONOCLINIC SYSTEM
(Subdivision of the hexagonal system) Go to Topaz

Go to Orthoclase

Go to Corundum Go to Tourmaline

Calcite, corundum, tourmaline, ...
... quartz. Chrysoberyl, topaz Orthoclase

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TRICLINIC SYSTEM
The symmetry of crystals : appear the following symmetrical operations: > >
· Rotation

· Inversion by symmetry plane

· Inversion by a center

· Combination of rotation and inversion

The crystals show in their form and their
structure of the properties of characteristic
symmetry. And like there is a cor -
respondence between reticular plans and
faces of the crystals, there is a
fundamental correspondence between
internal symmetry and external symmetry.
We imagine the drawing of a tapestry, it
will repeat ourselves by a simple parallel
displacement (translation). When a crystal is examined, the first
All the geometrical operations which point which draws the attention is a
cause a repetition of the pattern are certain symmetry. One can see the
called operations of symmetry. In the repetition of faces identical to various
shape of the crystals (external format), places of the crystal. These repetitions
this translation does not appear directly. are controls by laws of symmetry,
On the other hand, in their morphology, Albite the way in which they are repeated
is determined by operators of
symmetry, there are three principal
types of them: Axis of symmetry,
symmetry plane and the center
of symmetry.

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