Minerals Topics

Major Mineral Groups (Part 2)

Silicates

• Silicate minerals contain silicon (Si) and oxygen (O), the two most abundant elements in the earth’s crust.

• Over 90% of the common rock-forming minerals are silicates.

• Common silicate minerals include: olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, biotite mica, muscovite mica, plagioclase feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, and quartz.

Olivine Pronounce:

• The composition of olivine is (Mg,Fe)2SiO4

• Olivine is identified by its glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, and olive-green color.

• Its hardness is 6.5.

• Its specific gravity is 3.2.

Olivine
Olivine (Photograph by Parvinder Sethi)