ISOMORPHISM vs.

POLYMORPHISM

WHAT IS ISOMORPHISM,
POLYMORPHISM?
These are distinctive chemical
characteristics based on their
chemical composition
Provides vital information about
the mineral

ISOMORPHIS
M

A character exhibited by some minerals which is

analogous (resembling very closely) chemical
composition.
Crystallize in closely related form.
Minerals related in this way are said to form
isomorphous series.
In their chemical composition, they are generally salts
of some metals occurring in the same group of
periodic table.

ISOMORPHIS
M
CALCITE GROUP
-Calcite (CaCO3)
-Dolomite (CaCO3,MgCO3)
-Magnesite (MgCO3)
-Siderite (FeCO3)
-Rhodochrosite (MnCO3)
ARAGONITE GROUP
-Aragonite (CaCO3)
-Witherite (BaCO3)
-Strontianite (SrCO3)
-Cerussite (PbCO3)
BARITE GROUP

ISOMORPHIS
M

In some cases, the isomorphous series consist of a number of

minerals that show a striking gradiation in their chemical
composition, crystalline form, specific gravity, and optical
properties.
Isomorphous mixtures
Plagioclase Feldspar Group-regular gradiation in their different
properties
-albite
-oligoclase
-andesine
-labradorite

POLYMORPHIS
M

Expressing the crystallization of any particular

chemical compound in more than one crystalline
forms which are genetically distinct from each other.
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) | Carbon (C)
Two mineral forms: Calcite and Aragonite | Diamond
and Graphite
The former crystallizing in Hexagonal System and
latter in Orthorhombic System | Cubic System and
Isometric System
Dimorphism-Two Crystal System