Which mineral group contains the greatest number of different minerals, including quartz and feldspar?

The mineral group that contains the greatest number of different minerals, including quartz and feldspar, is the silicates. Silicates are characterized by the presence of silicon and oxygen in their structure, typically forming a tetrahedral arrangement (SiO4) that can connect in various ways to create a vast array of minerals. This structural versatility allows for the diversity found within the silicate group, which includes not only quartz and feldspar but also micas, amphiboles, and pyroxenes, among many others.

Silicates dominate the Earth's crust, making up approximately 90% of it, which reflects their abundance and variety. The complexity of silicate minerals stems from various forms of crystallization and combinations, resulting in numerous distinct minerals categorized within this group. Other mineral groups, such as oxides, carbonates, and sulfides, while important in their own right, do not exhibit the same level of mineral diversity as silicates. As a result, the silicate group is recognized as the largest and most significant group of minerals in terms of both variety and geological importance.