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Silicates (Sorosilicates)

Silicate minerals form over 90 percent of Earth's crust, they contain silicon (Si) and oxygen (O). Silicates are further broken down into six categories based on the complexity of their structure.

Sorosilicates

Sorosilicates (Pyro or Di silicates) are based on two tetrahedrons joined together. Most of the minerals in this group are quite rare and many are found in metamorphic rocks.
Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. A mineral is a naturally-occurring, inorganic, solid substance with a crystalline structure, a fixed or variable chemical composition, and a set of physical properties that can be used for identification.

Geologists and rockhounds use the following physical properties to identify minerals: crystal form, lustre, colour and streak, hardness, fracture and cleavage, specific gravity, magnetism, acid reaction and striations.
Minerals are grouped by their chemical composition, using the Dana Classification System. View the mineral classification of each item in the second tab, beside description.