The silicate subgroups of phyllosilicates and tectosilicates include minerals used in industry and jewelry. Learn how to identify them.
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Phyllosilicates and tectosilicates are comprised of numerous mineral groups and important mineral species. The most well-known phyllosilicates are talc, micas, serpentines, and clays. Tectosilicates include quartz and numerous quartz modifications, as well as the extensive feldspar family, feldspathoids, and zeolites.
Most rock-forming phyllosilicates are made up of infinite two-dimensional layers. Phyllosilicates are sometimes called “sheet” or “layered silicates” in reference to their layered structure and their sheet or scale-like mineral forms. The structural unit of phyllosilicates is [Si4O10]4- (sometimes written as [Si2O5]2- — as the structural unit divided by 2).
Phyllosilicate sheets or layers are not identical within one mineral. Rather, they alternate between layers of octahedral and tetrahedral atomic structure. As a result, phyllosilicates are further subdivided into:
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Phyllosilicates and tectosilicates are comprised of numerous mineral groups and important mineral species. The most well-known phyllosilicates are talc, micas, serpentines, and clays. Tectosilicates include quartz and numerous quartz modifications, as well as the extensive feldspar family, feldspathoids, and zeolites.
Most rock-forming phyllosilicates are made up of infinite two-dimensional layers. Phyllosilicates are sometimes called “sheet” or “layered silicates” in reference to their layered structure and their sheet or scale-like mineral forms. The structural unit of phyllosilicates is [SiO] (sometimes written as [SiO]— as the structural unit divided by 2).
…Phyllosilicate sheets or layers are not identical within one mineral. Rather, they alternate between layers of octahedral and tetrahedral atomic structure. As a result, phyllosilicates are further subdivided into:
The silicate subgroups of phyllosilicates and tectosilicates include minerals used in industry and jewelry. Learn how to identify them.
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