<p>Botryoidal habit describes the arrangement of a large group of hematite crystals.  </p>

<p>While hematite's trigonal crystal system describes the geometry of a single unit crystal of hematite,  the two terms are really not related at all. Many minerals with different crystal systems can have a botryoidal habit. </p>

<p>The difference between a Botryoidal habit and mineral's unit crystal geometry is a difference in scale. A botryoidal habit can be measured in inches to feet while crystal geometry is measured in Ångstroms. </p>

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2016-12-10T20:13:10.740Z
2016-12-10T22:14:45.150Z
2016-12-10T22:14:45.150Z
Earth Science Expatriate
<p>I am confused how hematite can have a "botryoidal" habit when its crystal structure is trigonal, which is an angled structure.</p>

<p>How can an angled crystal present itself as rounded?</p>

<p>If a botryoidal crystal of hematite is examined microscopically, is it clear that it is trigonal? How is that?</p>

<mineralogy><crystallography>
How can a crystal habit be round?
Tyler Durden
# How can a crystal habit be round?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-12-10)

I am confused how hematite can have a "botryoidal" habit when its crystal structure is trigonal, which is an angled structure.

How can an angled crystal present itself as rounded?

If a botryoidal crystal of hematite is examined microscopically, is it clear that it is trigonal? How is that?

**Tags:** mineralogy, crystallography


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-12-10. Score: 4

Botryoidal habit describes the arrangement of a large group of hematite crystals.

While hematite's trigonal crystal system describes the geometry of a single unit crystal of hematite, the two terms are really not related at all. Many minerals with different crystal systems can have a botryoidal habit.

The difference between a Botryoidal habit and mineral's unit crystal geometry is a difference in scale. A botryoidal habit can be measured in inches to feet while crystal geometry is measured in Ångstroms.


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