Here's why:

* Composition: Glass is primarily composed of silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2).

* Structure: Silicates are minerals that contain the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron (SiO4) as their basic structural unit. This same tetrahedral unit is the fundamental building block of glass.

* Bonding: The bonds within the silicate tetrahedron and the way they connect to form different structures are very similar to the bonds within glass.

Examples of silicates:

* Quartz: A common mineral found in sand, which is a major component of glass.

* Feldspar: Another common mineral that is often used in glassmaking.

* Clay: A group of minerals that are also silicates.

While glass isn't a pure silicate, it's fundamentally related to them due to its composition, structure, and bonding.