Atoms bond together to form a compound by either gaining, losing, or sharing electrons with another atom. Some isotopes are unstable and disintegrate naturally through a process called radioactive decay . The properties of minerals include crystal form , luster , color , streak , hardness , cleavage , fracture , and specific gravity . Each mineral has a unique set of properties which can be used for identification. The most common mineral group is the silicates .
All silicate minerals have the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron as their fundamental building block.
Each silicate mineral has a structure and a chemical composition that indicates the conditions under which it was formed.