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Earth's Silicates Are Some Of The Most Abundant Minerals
Silicates

Silicates can be divided into several major groups based on the way the silicate tetrahedra are linked together. The most common types of silicates are:

  1. Nesosilicates: In these silicates, the tetrahedra are not linked together, but are isolated from each other. Examples of nesosilicates include olivine, garnet, and zircon.
  2. Sorosilicates: In these silicates, two tetrahedra share one oxygen atom to form a double tetrahedron. Examples of sorosilicates include epidote, vesuvianite, and grossular garnet.
  3. Inosilicates: In these Silicates, the tetrahedra are linked together in chains or ribbons. Examples of inosilicates include pyroxene, amphibole, and tourmaline.
  4. Cyclosilicates: In these silicates, the tetrahedra are linked together in rings. Examples of cyclosilicates include beryl, tourmaline, and cordierite.
  5. Phyllosilicates: In these silicates, the tetrahedra are linked together in sheets. Examples of phyllosilicates include mica, talc, and chlorite.
  6. Tectosilicates: In these silicates, the tetrahedra are linked together to form a three-dimensional network. Examples of tectosilicates include quartz, feldspar, and zeolite.

 

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