Glossary Category: Crystallography

Crystal-structure and shape terms that explain why minerals grow in recognizable forms and systems.

The typical external shape a mineral tends to form (prismatic, tabular, botryoidal, etc.); a key descriptive feature collectors use alongside color and luster.
A symmetric intergrowth of two or more crystals; a common, diagnostic feature (e.g., in feldspar) that can help confirm identification and describe crystal form.