What Rock Is This?
Upload a photo and get an instant AI first guess — honest confidence scores and simple tests to confirm.
How it works
1. Upload a clear photo
Use natural light. Photograph one specimen filling most of the frame. A plain background helps.
2. Get an AI first guess
The tool returns a likely category, top candidate matches, and the visual clues it spotted.
3. Confirm with tests
Use the suggested tests (hardness, streak, magnet) and verify valuable finds with an expert.
Tips for a photo the AI can read
- Use natural daylight when possible — avoid harsh shadows and flash.
- Fill most of the frame with a single specimen.
- Use a plain, neutral background (paper, cloth, or sand).
- Photograph the most colorful or textured side of the rock.
- If wet, dry the surface first — water changes how light reflects.
- Keep the camera steady; blurry photos reduce accuracy.
Go deeper with Stone Sense
One free scan is just the start. The Stone Sense app gives you unlimited identifications, a saved collection, an AI geologist chat, and themed badges to level up your rockhound skills.
- Unlimited scans of rocks, minerals, and crystals
- Save finds to a personal collection
- Chat with an AI geologist
- Track progress with XP and badges
Frequently asked questions
How do I identify a rock from a photo?+
Upload a clear, well-lit photo of your rock to our free AI tool above. You'll get a likely category (rock, mineral, crystal, gemstone, fossil, or possible meteorite), top candidate matches with confidence scores, the visual clues the AI spotted, and simple tests you can do at home to confirm. For valuable or unusual finds, always verify with a qualified expert.
Can AI identify rocks accurately?+
AI can give a strong first guess for common rocks and minerals based on color, texture, luster, and crystal habit. It is most accurate for distinctive specimens like quartz, amethyst, or pyrite. It is less reliable for raw gemstones, weathered specimens, and suspected meteorites. Treat AI results as an educational starting point, not a certified identification.
Is this rock identifier free?+
Yes. You get one free web scan per day right on this page. For unlimited scans, a saved collection, and deeper results, download the Stone Sense app on your iPhone.
What if my rock might be a meteorite?+
Meteorites are hard to confirm from a photo alone. If the AI flags your specimen as a possible meteorite, the most reliable next step is a magnet test and expert verification at a university geology department or a recognized meteorite lab. Never rely on a photo alone for meteorite confirmation.
Stone Sense is an educational tool. AI photo identification is a helpful first step, but it is not a substitute for certified geological, gemological, or meteoritical analysis. Always verify valuable, hazardous, or scientifically important specimens with a qualified professional.