The silicate minerals are the building blocks for all the rocks on Earth.    They follow a system of formation and therefore classification - and in this episode, I explain the fundamental building block (silicon tetrahedron) and how that is used to form all the different types of minerals.For more information, see this blog post on the Silicate Minerals.And finally - if you are new to rock and mineral collecting, or have a child who would like to learn more, check out the book I wrote...Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Geoetc)