Straightforward route to the adamantane clusters [Sn4Q10]4- (Q = S, Se, Te) and use in the assembly of open-framework chalcogenides (Me4N)2M[Sn4Se10] (M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Zn(II)) including the first telluride member (Me4N)2Mn[Ge4Te10].