silicates

Silicates are minerals made primarily of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in various structures, often with other elements like aluminum, iron, or magnesium. They are the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust, forming rocks such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. The silicon-oxygen structure typically creates a tesselated, glassy network that influences the mineral's properties, like hardness and cleavage. Silicates are essential for both the planet’s geology and human-made materials, appearing in everything from sand and granite to ceramics and electronics. Their diverse structures and compositions make silicates fundamental to Earth's geological processes and mineral resources.