What is rhombohedral crystals?

Rhombohedral crystals are a type of crystal system characterized by a three-dimensional shape that resembles a rhombus. They are part of the trigonal crystal system and have a space group of R-3 or R-3c.

Rhombohedral crystals have three axes of symmetry of equal length and intersect at angles that are not perpendicular. This gives them a characteristic hexagonal outline. The angles between the crystallographic axes are all 120 degrees.

Examples of minerals that form rhombohedral crystals include calcite, dolomite, and quartz. Rhombohedral crystals are commonly found in sedimentary rocks and can be quite large in some cases. They can have a variety of colors and shades, depending on the impurities present in the crystal lattice.

Rhombohedral crystals have important applications in a range of scientific and technological fields, from mineralogy and geology to electronics and optics. They are also commonly used in jewelry and decorative objects due to their beauty and unique shape.