The trigonal crystal system is really part of the hexagonal
crystal system and only has one difference. Hexagonal
minerals have
sixfold symmetry. Trigonal minerals have threefold symmetry.
The trigonal crystal system, like the hexagonal crystal system, has:
four axes, three are equal in length and lie at an angle
of 120° from each other.
The fourth is either longer or shorter but must be at a right angle toward
the other corners.