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Silicates are a large and important class of minerals composed of silicon and oxygen. They are the most abundant mineral group in the Earth's crust, making up over 90% of its mass. The basic structural unit of all silicates is the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron, which consists of a central silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. These tetrahedra can link together in various ways to form different silicate structures, including isolated tetrahedra, chains, sheets, and three-dimensional frameworks.

Common examples of silicate minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, and olivine. Quartz, with its simple framework structure, is a very hard and stable mineral found in many geological environments. Feldspars are a group of minerals that are essential components of most igneous and metamorphic rocks. Micas are characterized by their perfect basal cleavage, allowing them to be easily split into thin sheets. Olivine is a common mineral in the Earth's mantle.

Silicates have a wide range of physical and chemical properties, which depend on their specific structure and composition. These properties influence their uses in various industries, such as construction (cement, glass, ceramics), electronics, and even as gemstones. The study of silicates is fundamental to understanding the Earth's geology and the formation of rocks and minerals.