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 70-90% albite; 10-30% anorthite
labradorite is 30-50% albite; 50-70% anorthite
Sheet
silicates

strong sheet structures,

bonds between sheets
weak

micas
muscovite (K-mica)
biotite (K-Fe-Mg-mica)
chlorite (Fe-Mg-mica)
clay minerals

igneous and metamorphic rocks

plutonic and metamorphic rocks
plutonic and metamorphic rocks;
rare in volcanics
metamorphic rocks, soils on
ultramafic intrusives
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

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Examples

Occurrence & uses

augite (complex iron

silicate)
hornblende (complex
iron silicate)
actinolite (complex
Ca-Fe silicate)

silica-poor igneous & metamorphic

rocks
silica-rich igneous and high-grade
metamorphic rocks
metamorphic rocks

Sorosilicates

tetrahedra in pairs

epidote (complex
calcium silicate)

common alteration product in

rocks, esp. igneous rocks

Ring silicates

tetrahedra arranged
in rings

beryl (a beryllium
silicate)
tourmaline (very
complex formula)

beryllium ore; gems (aquamarine,

true emerald)
minor industrial use; mostly
gemstones (Maine state mineral)

Island silicates

tetrahedra unattached to
each other directly;
linked by metallic cations
between tetrahedra

Olivine (Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Staurolite (complex
Ca-Al silicate)
Garnet [M3M2(SiO4)3]

silica-poor igneous rocks

Al-rich metamorphic rocks

Zircon (ZrSiO4)

{ Kyanite (Al2SiO5) }
{ Andalusite (Al2SiO5) }
{ Sillimanite (Al2SiO5) }

(M=Fe,Mg,Al,Ca,Mn,Cr) variable
composition; found in
metamorphic rocks; used for
abrasives and gemstones
usually some U replaces Zr; source
for radon gas in environment;
occurs in granitic and silica-rich
volcanic rocks; zirconium ore &
"cubic zirconia" gemstone
{These three minerals, all with the
same chemical formula, are found
in metamorphic rocks, and are
extremely useful for determining
the pressure and temperature of
recrystallization.}