Silicate Minerals

Silicate minerals are the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust, composed primarily of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in various structures called silicate sheets, chains, or frameworks. These arrangements give rise to different mineral types such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. Their structure affects their physical properties and uses, making them fundamental to rocks, soils, and many everyday materials. Because of their stability and wide distribution, silicate minerals are essential in geology, construction, and technology.