Nesosilicates

Minerals of the nesosilicate subclass have a higher density, index of refraction, and hardness than chemically similar silicates in other subclasses. Consequentially, there are more gemstones in the nesosilicates than in any other silicate subclass.

Minerals

Andalusite
Chondrodite
Datolite
Garnet
Kyanite
Olivine
Phenacite
Sillimanite
Staurolite
Topaz
Zircon

 

Mineral Photos courtesy of R.Weller/Cochise College