Here's why:

* Silicates are the building blocks of most rocks. They are composed of silicon and oxygen, the two most abundant elements in the Earth's crust.

* Diverse structures and compositions. Silicates come in a wide variety of structures and compositions, allowing them to form many different types of minerals. This diversity contributes to their abundance.

* Common examples: Common silicate minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, and olivine.

While other mineral groups like carbonates, oxides, and sulfides are present in the crust, they are found in significantly smaller amounts compared to silicates.