Groups and Subclasses
Within each mineral class, minerals are further divided into groups based on structure and composition.
Silicates
Silicates are subdivided by how SiO₄ tetrahedra link together:
| Subclass | Structure | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Nesosilicates | Isolated tetrahedra | Olivine, garnet |
| Sorosilicates | Double tetrahedra | Epidote, zoisite |
| Cyclosilicates | Rings | Beryl, tourmaline |
| Inosilicates | Single/double chains | Pyroxene, amphibole |
| Phyllosilicates | Sheets | Mica, clay minerals |
| Tectosilicates | 3-D framework | Quartz, feldspar |
Sulfides
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Simple sulfides | Pyrite, galena, sphalerite |
| Sulfosalts | Tetrahedrite, enargite |
Carbonates
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Calcite group | Calcite, rhodochrosite |
| Aragonite group | Aragonite, cerussite |
| Hydrous carbonates | Malachite, azurite |