Crystal

Solid material with a highly ordered microscopic structure.

crystalline gem

A crystal is a solid material with atoms, molecules, or ions arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. Crystals are found naturally or can be grown artificially.

Pronunciation

/ˈkrɪstəl/

Etymology

From Old French cristal, from Latin crystallus, from Ancient Greek κρύσταλλος (krustallos)

Explain Like I’m 5

Crystals are like super-organized building blocks, where atoms or molecules line up in a repeating pattern to form beautiful shapes like diamonds and snowflakes.

Fun Facts

Diamonds and graphite are both made of carbon, but their crystal structures are different
Some crystals can grow quite large, like the 'Cave of Crystals' in Mexico which contains selenite crystals up to 40 feet long
Quartz is a very common crystal found in many different types of rock

FAQ

What is a crystal? A solid material with atoms, molecules, or ions arranged in a repeating pattern
How are crystals formed? They form through slow cooling of molten rock or evaporation of solutions
What is a geode? A rock containing crystals inside

Synonyms — Similar or Related Terms

crystalline form

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

mineral solid

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

quartz diamond amethyst ruby

Meronyms — Parts or Components

crystal lattice

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

geode rock

Indexes

mineral natural object

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