Silicates

Silicates are made up of silicate ions, which are formed by four oxygen ions (O^2-) surrounding and sharing electrons with a silicon ion (Si⁴⁺). Silicates can be combined with metals. The best known silicate mineral is quartz which is made up of one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen (SiO₄)^4-.

Silicates are the largest naturally occurring mineral on the earth and make up about 95% of the earth's crust.