Common Silicate Minerals

Mineral Chemical formula Type of rocks that they are commonly found within Picture How People Use Them

Olivine (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 Ultramafic igneous rocks Click for full size A gemstone!
Pyroxene group (Mg, Fe)SiO2 Basaltic igneous rocks (coming soon!) .
Amphibole group (example: hornblende) (Ca2Mg5)Si8O22(OH)2 Andesitic igneous rocks Click for full size .
Micas Biotite:
K(Mg, Fe)3Si3O10(OH)2
Muscovite:
KAl3Si3O10(OH)2		 Andesitic igneous rocks Click for full size Colonial Americans used sheets of mica as window glass.
Feldspars Orthoclase: KAlSi3O8
Plagioclase:
(Ca, Na)AlSi3O8		 Granitic igneous rocks Click for full size Important for making ceramics and glass
Quartz SiO2 Granitic igneous rocks Click for full size Quartz is the raw material for glass and helps clocks keep time.

* Click on images above for full size.

Last modified April 18, 2003 by Lisa Gardiner.

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Olivine

Olivine looks like little green crystals. It is typically found in some igneous and metamorphic rocks. Often the crystals are so small that you need to use your hand lens or magnifying glass to see them...more

Amphibole

There are several different minerals within the amphibole group, but the most common type is hornblende. You can find small crystals of hornblende in many types of igneous rocks. They often look like little...more

Mica Minerals

Mica minerals make some rocks sparkle! They are often found in igneous rocks such as granite and metamorphic rocks such as schist. They sparkle because light is reflected on their flat surfaces, which...more

Feldspar

Feldspar is the most common mineral in the Earth’s crust, so you are very likely to find it in the rocks you collect! It is found it all of the three rock types, but is most common in intrusive igneous...more

Quartz

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