Silicate subgroups are all based on the structural arrangement of the silica tetrahedra in the crystal lattice.

The
importance of most silicate minerals is in their abundance: silicates comprise >95% of the total mass of the Earth's
crust. (Minerals in bold face are those we will study in the laboratory.)
Subgroup General structure Examples Occurrence & uses
Framework complex 3-dimensional quartz (SiO2) occurs in many rocks, very common
silicates framework many industrial uses; base for glass
manufacturing
feldspars: over 50% of entire crust !!!!
orthoclase (KAlSi3O8) plutonic and metamorphic rocks
microcline (KAlSi3O8) plutonic igneous rocks
sanidine (KAlSi3O8) silica-rich volcanic rocks
plagioclase
albite (NaAlSi3O8) silica-rich igneous & metamorphic
rocks
anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) silica-poor igneous &
metamorphic rocks
oligoclase is sodium-rich: 70-90% albite; 10-30% anorthite
labradorite is calcium-rich: 30-50% albite; 50-70% anorthite

Sheet strong sheet structures, micas igneous and metamorphic rocks

silicates bonds between sheets muscovite (K-mica) plutonic and metamorphic rocks
weak biotite (K-Fe-Mg-mica) plutonic and metamorphic rocks;
rare in volcanics
chlorite (Fe-Mg-mica) metamorphic rocks, soils on
ultramafic intrusives
clay minerals form by weathering of other
silicates; critical in soils;
used in ceramics, paper, and
many other industrial uses
Major silicate subgroups and minerals
Subgroup General structure
Chain tetrahedra in chains
silicates single chains: pyroxenes
double chains: amphiboles
(have water in structure)
Sorosilicates tetrahedra in pairs
Ring silicates tetrahedra arranged
in rings
Island silicates tetrahedra unattached to
each other directly;
linked by metallic cations
between tetrahedra
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Examples Occurrence & uses
augite (complex iron silica-poor igneous & metamorphic
silicate) rocks
hornblende (complex silica-rich igneous and high-grade
iron silicate) metamorphic rocks
actinolite (complex
Ca-Fe silicate) metamorphic rocks
epidote (complex common alteration product in
calcium silicate) rocks, esp. igneous rocks
beryl (a beryllium beryllium ore; gems (aquamarine,
silicate) true emerald)
tourmaline (very minor industrial use; mostly
complex formula) gemstones (Maine state mineral)
Olivine (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 silica-poor igneous rocks
Staurolite (complex Al-rich metamorphic rocks
Ca-Al silicate)
Garnet [M3M2(SiO4)3] (M=Fe,Mg,Al,Ca,Mn,Cr) variable
composition; found in
metamorphic rocks; used for
abrasives and gemstones
Zircon (ZrSiO4) usually some U replaces Zr; source
for radon gas in environment;
occurs in granitic and silica-rich
volcanic rocks; zirconium ore &
"cubic zirconia" gemstone
{ Kyanite (Al2SiO5) } {These three minerals, all with the
{ Andalusite (Al2SiO5) } same chemical formula, are found
{ Sillimanite (Al2SiO5) } in metamorphic rocks, and are
extremely useful for determining
the pressure and temperature of
recrystallization.}