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Definition of: crystal system
Any of the variously named and classified fundamental patterns by which all crystals may be identified: determined on the basis of the imaginary axes drawn from each face or edge through the center of the crystal. Six major systems are generally recognized. See following table.
CRYSTAL SYSTEMS
| Name | No. of axes | Type example | |
| I | Isometric | 3 | fluorite, garnet |
| II | Tetragonal | 3 | cassiterite, zircon |
| III | Hexagonal | 4 | calcite, quartz |
| IV | Orthorhombic | 3 | sulfur, topaz |
| V | Monoclinic | 3 | gypsum, augite |
| VI | Triclinic | 3 | rhodonite |
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