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An example of the hexagonal crystals, beryl

In crystallography, the hexagonal crystal system is one of the 7 crystal systems, the hexagonal lattice system is one of the 7 lattice systems, and the hexagonal crystal family is one of the 6 crystal families. They are closely related and often confused with each other, but they are not the same. The hexagonal lattice system consists of just one Bravais lattice type: the hexagonal one. The hexagonal crystal system consists of the 7 point groups such that all their space groups have the hexagonal lattice as underlying lattice. The hexagonal crystal family consists of the 12 point groups such that at least one of their space groups has the hexagonal lattice as underlying lattice, and is the union of the hexagonal crystal system and the trigonal crystal system.^[1]

Graphite is an example of a crystal that crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system.

[edit] Hexagonal lattice system

Hexagonal lattice cell

The hexagonal lattice system is one of the seven lattice systems, consisting of the hexagonal Bravais lattice. It is associated with 45 space groups whose underlying lattice has point group of order 24. It is often confused with the smaller hexagonal crystal system, which consists of the 27 space groups such that all space groups with the same point group are in the hexagonal lattice system, or with the larger hexagonal crystal family, consisting of the 52 space groups in either the hexagonal or rhombohedral lattice systems.

[edit] Hexagonal crystal system

The point groups (crystal classes) in this crystal system are listed below, followed by their representations in Hermann-Mauguin or international notation and Schoenflies notation, and mineral examples, if they exist.^[1]^[2]

name	international	Schoenflies	example
Dihexagonal dipyramidal	$\mathrm{\frac6m\frac2m\frac2m}$	D_6h	beryl
Dihexagonal pyramidal	$\mathrm{6mm} \,$	C_6v	greenockite, wurtzite
Hexagonal dipyramidal	$\mathrm{\frac6m}$	C_6h	apatite, vanadinite
Hexagonal pyramidal	$\mathrm{6} \,$	C₆	nepheline, cancrinite
Hexagonal trapezohedral	$622 \,$	D₆	kalsilite and high quartz
Ditrigonal dipyramidal	$\mathrm{\overline{6}m2}$	D_3h	benitoite
Trigonal dipyramidal	$\overline{6}$	C_3h	Laurelite

[edit] Hexagonal crystal family

The hexagonal crystal family consists of the 12 point groups such that at least one of their space groups has the hexagonal lattice as underlying lattice, and is the union of the hexagonal crystal system and the trigonal crystal system. There are 50 space groups associated with it, which are exactly those whose Bravais lattice is either hexagonal or rhombohedral.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis, 1985, Manual of Mineralogy, 20th ed., pp. 78 - 89, ISBN 0-471-80580-7
^ http://webmineral.com/crystall.shtml Crystallography and Minerals Arranged by Crystal Form, Webmineral

[Hurlbut-0] Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis, 1985, Manual of Mineralogy, 20th ed., pp. 78 - 89, ISBN 0-471-80580-7

[1] ttp://webmineral.com/crystall.shtml Crystallography and Minerals Arranged by Crystal Form, Webmineral

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Contents

[edit] Hexagonal lattice system

[edit] Hexagonal crystal system

[edit] Hexagonal crystal family

[edit] See also

[edit] References