Silica, SAND, silex, and RIM are all components of glass. SILICA is a type of mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms, and is the primary component of most types of glass. SAND is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. Silex is a type of SILICA-based sedimentary rock that is often used in the production of glass. Finally, RIM is the edge or border of a glass object.