Science, Tech, Math › Science What Is a Crystal? Chemistry Definition and Examples Share Flipboard Email Print Pixabay Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated July 03, 2019 A crystal is a substance in which the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating three-dimensional pattern. Most crystals are solids. Examples quartz rock candy halite See Also Crystal Photo Gallery Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is a Crystal?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-crystal-604416. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). What Is a Crystal? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-crystal-604416 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is a Crystal?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-crystal-604416 (accessed February 28, 2021). copy citation