Silicon (Si) Chemical properties, Health and ...
Sand is used as source of the silicon produced commercially. A few siliate minerals are mined, talc and mica. Other mined silicates are feldspars, nephenile, olivine, vermiculite, perlite, kaolinite, etc. At the other extreme there are forms of silica so rare that they are desirable for this reason alone: gemstone opal, agate and rhinestone.