Tag: Silicate minerals

With thousands of officially recognized minerals by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) as of May 2025, the sheer number may seem overwhelming. However, rather than existing in a single form, minerals are organized into distinct classifications based on their chemical composition, internal crystal structure, and physical properties. This organizational framework reveals that there are numerous ways to define a mineral's 'form,' extending far beyond simple physical appearance.

Did you know that over 90% of the Earth's crust is composed of just one type of mineral, the silicates? Answering what's the difference between the two categories of minerals depends on the classification system used, from chemical composition to physical properties.

The Earth's crust is composed of over 90% silicate minerals. For this reason, the silicate group is overwhelmingly considered to be the most important group of minerals, serving as the fundamental building blocks of rocks and soil and holding immense value across numerous industries.

The Mohs hardness scale, a simple yet effective tool for mineral identification, uses a ranking of 1 to 10 to measure scratch resistance. At the seventh position on this scale sits quartz, a mineral so common and widespread that it is found in nearly every type of geological environment.