Cyclosilicates

English: Ring silicates.
Name: from Greek kuklos, circle, or ring.
Andradite
Chemical: Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3.
Clades: Garnets; Nesosilicates; Silicates; Lapidae.
Crystal structure: Cubic hexagonalMineralogy
Cyclosilicates have three or more tetrahedra linked in a ring. The general formula is (SixO3x)2x?, where one or more silicon atoms can be replaced by other 4-coordinated atom(s). The silicon:oxygen ratio is 1:3. Double rings have the formula (Si2xO5x)2x? or a 2:5 ratio. The Nickel-Strunz classification is 09.C.