Crystals | ClipArt ETC

This science ClipArt gallery offers 324 illustrations of crystals of numerous minerals. These crystalline minerals are created through natural processes, and so often times there are numerous crystal shapes for any given mineral (polycrystalline materials).

Pyroxene

Pyroxene

Pyroxene

Pyroxene

Pyroxene

"Terminated usually by a combination of a positive and negative rhombohedron, which often are so equally developed as to give the effect of a hexagonal pyramid." — Ford, 1912

Quartz

"Terminated usually by a combination of a positive and negative rhombohedron, which often are so equally…

"Terminated usually by a combination of a positive and negative rhombohedron, which often are so equally developed as to give the effect of a hexagonal pyramid. Sometimes one rhombohedron predominates or occurs alone." — Ford, 1912

Quartz

"Terminated usually by a combination of a positive and negative rhombohedron, which often are so equally…

"Terminated usually by a combination of a positive and negative rhombohedron, which often are so equally developed as to give the effect of a hexagonal pyramid. Sometimes one rhombohedron predominates or occurs alone. At times the prism faces are wanting, and the combination of the two rhombodendrons gives what appears to be a doubly terminated hexagonal pyramid, known as a quartzoid." — Ford, 1912

Quartz

"Terminated usually by a combination of a positive and negative rhombohedron, which often are so equally…

This illustration shows Quartz or Silica. Quarts is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust.

Quartz

This illustration shows Quartz or Silica. Quarts is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental…

"The quartz crystals are said to be right or left handed, depending upon whether these faces are to be observed trunctuating the edges between prism and rhombohedron." — Ford, 1912

Left-handed quartz

"The quartz crystals are said to be right or left handed, depending upon whether these faces are to…

"The quartz crystals are said to be right or left handed, depending upon whether these faces are to be observed trunctuating the edges between prism and rhombohedron." — Ford, 1912

Right-handed quartz

"The quartz crystals are said to be right or left handed, depending upon whether these faces are to…

Rhodonite.

Rhodonite

Rhodonite.

"Triclinic. Crystals commonly tabular parallel to base." — Ford, 1912

Rhodonite

"Triclinic. Crystals commonly tabular parallel to base." — Ford, 1912

This figure shows a crystal of Rhodonite (manganese meta-silicate), whose forms are: (c), (b), (a), (n), (h), (o), and (s).

Rhodonite

This figure shows a crystal of Rhodonite (manganese meta-silicate), whose forms are: (c), (b), (a),…

An alternate combination of manganese meta-silicate (Rhodonite), showing forms: (c), (b), (a), (n), (h), (o), and (s).

Rhodonite

An alternate combination of manganese meta-silicate (Rhodonite), showing forms: (c), (b), (a), (n),…

This form shows a rhombic dodecahedron (d) combined with the trigonal tristetrahedron (q). It sometimes occurs on Zincblende.

Rhombic Dodecahedron Combined With the Trigonal Tristetrahedron

This form shows a rhombic dodecahedron (d) combined with the trigonal tristetrahedron (q). It sometimes…

"The vertical crystallographic axis is one of trigonal symmetry, and the three horizontal crystallographic axes of binary symmetry." — Ford, 1912

Symmetry of Rhombohedral Class

"The vertical crystallographic axis is one of trigonal symmetry, and the three horizontal crystallographic…

Crystal; If the alternate planes of the hexoctahedron extend until the intersect, a new for will result. This form, the Pentagonal Icositetrahedron, is bounded by twenty-four similar but unsymmetrical sides. Naumann's symbol for this form is (m0n/2)r, y{lkh}; Miller's is (m0n/2)l, y{klh}; h>k>l. This form is known as 'right-handed' because it contains the right, top plane of the front, upper octant.

Right-Handed Pentagonal Icositetrahedron

Crystal; If the alternate planes of the hexoctahedron extend until the intersect, a new for will result.…

Rutile.

Rutile

Rutile.

"Tetragonal. Usually prismatic with pyramid terminations." — Ford, 1912

Rutile

"Tetragonal. Usually prismatic with pyramid terminations." — Ford, 1912

The tetragonal rutile grows upon the rhombohedral titanic iron, so that its prism of the second order, ∞ P ∞ (100), coincides with the basal pinacoid of the latter mineral, while its vertical axis has the direction of one of the intermediate lateral axes of the iron ore.

Rutile Growing Upon Titanic Iron

The tetragonal rutile grows upon the rhombohedral titanic iron, so that its prism of the second order,…

"A crystal of scapolite, upon which the faces of the third-order pyramid are shown." — Ford, 1912

Scapolite

"A crystal of scapolite, upon which the faces of the third-order pyramid are shown." — Ford, 1912

This figure shows a combination of forms sometimes observed on the silicate Scapolite, with the unit pyramid, (o); the prisms of the first and second orders, (M) and (b) respectively; and the pyramid of the third order, (s).

Scapolite

This figure shows a combination of forms sometimes observed on the silicate Scapolite, with the unit…

"Tetragonal; tri-pyramidal. Crystals usually simple pyramids of first order. Closely resemble isometric octahedrons in angles. Faces of the pyramid of third order are small and rare." — Ford, 1912

Scheelite

"Tetragonal; tri-pyramidal. Crystals usually simple pyramids of first order. Closely resemble isometric…

Simple Crystal of Gypsum

"...to be cut in half by this plane (the twinned plane, reference Twinned Crystal of Gypsum) and one…

This is a crystal of Sodium Chlorate, exhibiting the tetrahedron (-o) and the pentagonal dodecahedron (p).

Sodium Chlorate

This is a crystal of Sodium Chlorate, exhibiting the tetrahedron (-o) and the pentagonal dodecahedron…

This figure represents a solid state where there is no regularity of molecular orientation, as in the case of amorphous substances.

Solid State Showing No Regularity of Molecular Orientation

This figure represents a solid state where there is no regularity of molecular orientation, as in the…

"...a variety of calcite, crystallizing in scalenohedral forms; so named from a fancied resemblance of its crystals to canine teeth." —Whitney, 1889

Dogtooth Spar

"...a variety of calcite, crystallizing in scalenohedral forms; so named from a fancied resemblance…

"Isometric; tetrahedral. Tetrahedron form." — Ford, 1912

Sphalerite

"Isometric; tetrahedral. Tetrahedron form." — Ford, 1912

"The Sphenoidal Class corresponds in the Tetragonal system to the Tetrahedral class in the Isometric System. It is characterized by the following symmetry: The three crystallographic axes are axes of binary symmetry, and there are two vertical diagonal planes of symmetry." — Ford, 1912

Symmetry of Sphenoidal class

"The Sphenoidal Class corresponds in the Tetragonal system to the Tetrahedral class in the Isometric…

An example of sphenoidal crystallization is Iron-Copper-Sulfide (FeS_2_Cu), also known as chalcopyrite.

Sphenoidal Crystallization

An example of sphenoidal crystallization is Iron-Copper-Sulfide (FeS_2_Cu), also known as chalcopyrite.

This figure shows a contact twin of Spinel, one of the three simplest isometric holohedrons according to the "spinel law".

Spinel Contact Twin

This figure shows a contact twin of Spinel, one of the three simplest isometric holohedrons according…

Staurolite.

Staurolite

Staurolite.

"Orthohombic. Habit prismatic, showing usually a combination of prism with large angle, brachypinacoid, base and macrodome." — Ford, 1912

Staurolite

"Orthohombic. Habit prismatic, showing usually a combination of prism with large angle, brachypinacoid,…

"...in this figure the thicker lines are the projections of the three planes of symmetry, and on these lie the poles of the rhombehedra (six of which are indicated)." -The Encyclopedia Britannica 1910

Stereographic Projection of a Holosymmetric Rhombohedral Crystal

"...in this figure the thicker lines are the projections of the three planes of symmetry, and on these…

Stilbite

"Monoclinic. Uniform in cruciform twins. Commonly tabular parallel to clinopinacoid. Crystals usually…

Striation of crystal planes may be produced by repeated polysynthetic twinning. This is well illustrated in the case of the triclinic feldspar, Albite. The twinning plane here is the brachypinacoid, and the contact of a large number of fine lamellæ, alternately in twinning position, would evidently produce a striation on the basal plane parallel to the brachydiagonal axis

Striation of Crystal Planes

Striation of crystal planes may be produced by repeated polysynthetic twinning. This is well illustrated…

Sulphur.

Sulphur

Sulphur.

Sulphur.

Sulphur

Sulphur.

"Resinous luster. Color sulphur-yellow, varying with impurities to yellow shades of green, gray, and red. Transparent to opaque. Imperfect conductor of heat." — Ford, 1912

Sulphur

"Resinous luster. Color sulphur-yellow, varying with impurities to yellow shades of green, gray, and…

"Resinous luster. Color sulphur-yellow, varying with impurities to yellow shades of green, gray, and red. Transparent to opaque. Imperfect conductor of heat." — Ford, 1912

Sulphur

"Resinous luster. Color sulphur-yellow, varying with impurities to yellow shades of green, gray, and…

This figure shows an orthorhombic crystal of sulphur, showing the forms: (p), (s), (c), and (n).

Sulphur

This figure shows an orthorhombic crystal of sulphur, showing the forms: (p), (s), (c), and (n).

This figure shows a case of a supplementary twin, formed from two hemimorphic crystals, placed symmetrically to their basal pinacoid (calamine).

Supplementary Twin

This figure shows a case of a supplementary twin, formed from two hemimorphic crystals, placed symmetrically…

"The symmetry of this class is as follows: The three crystallographic axes are axes of binary symmetry; the four diagonal axes are axes of trigonal symmetry; there are six diagonal planes of symmetry." — Ford, 1912

Symmetry of tetrahedral class

"The symmetry of this class is as follows: The three crystallographic axes are axes of binary symmetry;…

This figure shows two tetrahedrons with parallel axes, and symmetrically placed with reference to the faces of the cube. The example given is a tetrahedrite crystal.

Tetrahedrite

This figure shows two tetrahedrons with parallel axes, and symmetrically placed with reference to the…

This figure shows a penetration twin of two tetrahedrons, symmetrical to the octohedral face (tetrahedrite).

Tetrahedrite Penetration Twin

This figure shows a penetration twin of two tetrahedrons, symmetrical to the octohedral face (tetrahedrite).

This form shows a tetrahedron (o), cube (h), and dodecahedron (d) in combination.

Tetrahedron, Cube, and Dodecahedron in Combination

This form shows a tetrahedron (o), cube (h), and dodecahedron (d) in combination.

"Monoclinic. Crystals varied in habit. Often with prominent basal plane which is steeply inclined and which in combination with short prism and pyramid faces gives a thin wedge-shaped crystal." — Ford, 1912

Titanite

"Monoclinic. Crystals varied in habit. Often with prominent basal plane which is steeply inclined and…

"Monoclinic. Crystals varied in habit. Often with prominent basal plane which is steeply inclined and which in combination with short prism and pyramid faces gives a thin wedge-shaped crystal." — Ford, 1912

Titanite

"Monoclinic. Crystals varied in habit. Often with prominent basal plane which is steeply inclined and…

Topaz.

Topaz

Topaz.

Topaz.

Topaz

Topaz.

Topaz

Topaz

Topaz

"Orthohombic. In prismatic crystals terminated by pyramids, domes, and basal plane." — Ford, 1912

Topaz

"Orthohombic. In prismatic crystals terminated by pyramids, domes, and basal plane." — Ford, 1912

Natural crystal. 4, topaz.

Topaz

Natural crystal. 4, topaz.

"Tourmaline crystals show the forms of the Rhombohedral Class but with hemispherical development. They are also commonly characterized by the presence of three faces of a triangular prism." — Ford, 1912

Tourmaline

"Tourmaline crystals show the forms of the Rhombohedral Class but with hemispherical development. They…

"Tourmaline crystals show the forms of the Rhombohedral Class but with hemispherical development. They are also commonly characterized by the presence of three faces of a triangular prism." — Ford, 1912

Tourmaline

"Tourmaline crystals show the forms of the Rhombohedral Class but with hemispherical development. They…

"Tourmaline crystals show the forms of the Rhombohedral Class but with hemispherical development. They are also commonly characterized by the presence of three faces of a triangular prism." — Ford, 1912

Tourmaline

"Tourmaline crystals show the forms of the Rhombohedral Class but with hemispherical development. They…

"Hexagonal-rhombohedral; hemimorphic. Crystals usually prismatic, vertically striated. A triangular prism, with three faces, prominent, which with the tendency of the prism faces to be vertically striated and to round into each other gives the crystals usually a cross section like a spherical triangle." — Ford, 1912

Tourmaline

"Hexagonal-rhombohedral; hemimorphic. Crystals usually prismatic, vertically striated. A triangular…

"Hexagonal-rhombohedral; hemimorphic. Crystals usually prismatic, vertically striated. A triangular prism, with three faces, prominent, which with the tendency of the prism faces to be vertically striated and to round into each other gives the crystals usually a cross section like a spherical triangle. Crystals are commonly terminated by base and low positive and negative rhombohedrons; sometimes scalenohedrons are present. When the crystals are doubly terminated they usually show different forms at the opposite ends of the vertical axis." — Ford, 1912

Tourmaline

"Hexagonal-rhombohedral; hemimorphic. Crystals usually prismatic, vertically striated. A triangular…

This crystal of Tourmaline exhibits hemimorphism in the direction of the vertical axis. Its forms are the prisms, (g), which as a result of hemimorphism, appear as a trigonal prism, and (a); the scalenohedron, (s), and the two rhombohedrons, (R) and (r), at the antilogue pole, while only (R) occurs at the analogue pole.

Tourmaline

This crystal of Tourmaline exhibits hemimorphism in the direction of the vertical axis. Its forms are…

This figure shows two twin rhombohedrons, symmetrical with reference to a prism of the first order, but without any composition face. There is a complete interpenetration of their substance, and the space common to both is very irregularly distributed between them, as may be shown by an examination in polarized light.

Twin Rhombohedrons

This figure shows two twin rhombohedrons, symmetrical with reference to a prism of the first order,…

"...the two portions are symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the ortho-pinacoid." -The Encyclopedia Britannica 1910

Twinned Crystal of Gypsum

"...the two portions are symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the ortho-pinacoid." -The Encyclopedia…

"Albite and Carlsbad twinning combined." -Johannsen, 1908

Twinning

"Albite and Carlsbad twinning combined." -Johannsen, 1908