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  • Understanding Rock-Forming Minerals: Silicates & Non-Silicates
    The two main families of rock-forming minerals are:

    1. Silicates: These are the most abundant group of minerals in the Earth's crust, making up over 90% of its composition. Silicates are characterized by their tetrahedral structure, where a silicon atom is surrounded by four oxygen atoms. Examples include quartz, feldspar, mica, and olivine.

    2. Non-silicates: This diverse group includes minerals that are not based on the silicate structure. They are often grouped together based on their chemical composition. Some examples include:

    * Carbonates: Minerals containing the carbonate anion (CO3)2-. Examples include calcite and dolomite.

    * Oxides: Minerals containing oxygen combined with one or more metals. Examples include hematite and magnetite.

    * Sulfides: Minerals containing sulfur combined with one or more metals. Examples include pyrite and galena.

    * Sulfates: Minerals containing the sulfate anion (SO4)2-. Examples include gypsum and barite.

    * Halides: Minerals containing a halogen element (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine) combined with a metal. Examples include halite (rock salt) and fluorite.

    * Phosphates: Minerals containing the phosphate anion (PO4)3-. Examples include apatite.

    While silicates are the most abundant, non-silicates play important roles in rock formation and are often important resources for various industries.

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