Here's why:

* Abundance of Silicon and Oxygen: Silicon and oxygen are the two most abundant elements in the Earth's crust.

* Strong Bonding: Silicon and oxygen readily form strong, stable bonds.

* Diverse Structures: These bonds can form a wide variety of structures, leading to a huge diversity of silicate minerals.

Examples of common silicate minerals:

* Quartz

* Feldspar

* Mica

* Clay minerals

While other mineral groups exist (like carbonates, oxides, sulfides), silicates make up the vast majority of the minerals found in the Earth's crust.