Minerals are classified based on their chemical composition. There are eleven main mineral classes, with silicates being the most common.

Minerals can be classified in many ways, but the most common classification is based on their chemical composition. There are eleven main mineral classes:

• Native elements: Pure elements that occur in nature, such as gold, silver, and copper.
• Sulfides: Compounds containing sulfur and a metal, such as pyrite and galena.
• Sulfosalts: Compounds containing sulfur, a metal, and another element, such as arsenic or antimony.
• Oxides and hydroxides: Compounds containing oxygen and a metal, such as hematite and limonite.
• Halides: Compounds containing a halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine) and a metal, such as halite and fluorite.
• Carbonates: Compounds containing carbon, oxygen, and a metal, such as calcite and dolomite.
• Nitrates: Compounds containing nitrogen, oxygen, and a metal, such as niter and caliche.
• Borates: Compounds containing boron, oxygen, and a metal, such as borax and tourmaline.
• Sulfates: Compounds containing sulfur, oxygen, and a metal, such as gypsum and anhydrite.
• Phosphates: Compounds containing phosphorus, oxygen, and a metal, such as apatite and turquoise.
• Silicates: Compounds containing silicon, oxygen, and one or more other elements, such as quartz, feldspar, and mica.

Silicates are the most common class of minerals, making up about 90% of the Earth's crust.