Crystal Habit
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Definition
The characteristic external shape a mineral crystal tends to develop during growth, reflecting the internal atomic arrangement and conditions of formation.
Detailed Explanation
Common crystal habits include cubic (pyrite), octahedral (diamond, spinel), prismatic (tourmaline, beryl), rhombohedral (calcite), and tabular (feldspar). The habit of rough gem crystals provides clues to identification before any testing — emerald typically grows as elongated hexagonal prisms, while ruby forms flat, barrel-shaped rhombohedra. Crystal habit also affects how cutters orient a stone to minimize waste and maximize color. Collector specimens are often valued specifically for displaying pristine crystal habits.