Hexagonal Crystal System

The hexagonal crystal system is a way of classifying crystals based on their symmetrical shape and internal arrangement of atoms. In this system, the crystal has six detailed sides that form a hexagon when viewed from above, with three axes of equal length intersecting at 120-degree angles on a plane, and a fourth axis perpendicular to that plane. This configuration results in crystals with a characteristic six-sided or columnar shape, commonly seen in minerals like quartz and beryl. The symmetry and structure influence the crystal's physical properties, such as how it breaks or responds to light.