Gem Shapes: Rectangular Gems – The Orthorhombic System

The world of gem shapes keeps things interesting with the orthorhombic crystal system! Here’s a breakdown in simple terms:

Boxy Beauty:

• Imagine a perfect rectangular box. That’s the basic idea behind the orthorhombic crystal system, a group of gems with a specific internal structure.

Threefold Surprise:

• Unlike monoclinic (tilted rectangles), orthorhombic gems have three axes that are all perfectly perpendicular to each other, creating a true rectangular shape.
• Bonus: Each axis also has a “twofold axis,” meaning a 180-degree rotation looks identical.

A Common Sight:

• This crystal system is quite common, seen in gems like topaz, kyanite, and some diamonds.

Not Always Perfect Boxes:

• While some gems show the rectangular form clearly (like topaz), others might have slight variations on the ends, like a gentle slope.

Examples of Orthorhombic Gems:

• Topaz (known for its vibrant colors)
• Kyanite (often blue and used in carved objects)
• Diaspore (relatively rare and can be colorless or pink)

Remember: Orthorhombic gems are like perfect rectangular boxes with a hidden “twofold” surprise on each axis. They’re a common group with some variations in their exact shape.