Common Cyclosilicate Minerals Axinite-- Ca2(Fe, Mn)Al2 (BO3)(Si4O12)(OH) Beryl-- Be3Al2(Si6O18) Cordierite--(Mg, Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18) Tourmaline-- XY3Al6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH)4 Chrysocolla-- Amorphous The links above will take you to the Mineral Gallery website (http://www.galleries.com).

The cyclosilicates are characterized by rings of linked silicate tetrahedra. Beryl is used as a gemstone, the green variety is an emerald, the most valuable of all the gemstones. The largest beryl crystal was found in Malakilina, Malagasy. It was 18 meters high and 3.5 meters in diameter. It weighed 379,480 kg.

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Silicates/Mineral Groups