What Is This Rock? Get Instant Answers

Likely quartz - the most common mineral. Clear quartz is transparent, white quartz is milky. Hardness 7, glassy luster.

Could be obsidian (volcanic glass), hematite (metallic luster), or coal. Check if it's magnetic (magnetite) or breaks with sharp edges (obsidian).

Likely a geode! Hollow rocks lined with crystals, often quartz, amethyst, or calcite. Break open to see the crystals inside.

Probably amethyst (purple quartz) - hardness 7, glassy luster. Could also be fluorite if softer (hardness 4) or lepidolite if flaky.

The sparkle could be mica (flaky sheets), pyrite (gold, metallic), or quartz crystals. Granite often contains sparkly mica flakes.

Likely pyrite ('fool's gold') if metallic and cubic crystals. Could also be chalcopyrite, limonite, or actual gold (very rare).

The easiest way is to use Ruby Glint's rock identifier app - just take a photo and get instant identification. For manual identification, observe the rock's color, test its hardness (can it scratch glass?), look for crystals, check the texture, and note where you found it. These clues help narrow down what type of rock you have.

Quartz is the most commonly found rock/mineral. It appears as clear or white crystals, is very hard (scratches glass), has a glassy luster, and is found almost everywhere. Other commonly found rocks include granite (speckled with pink/white/black minerals), limestone (soft, often gray or tan), and basalt (dark, fine-grained volcanic rock).

Most rocks found in nature are common and not particularly valuable, but there are exceptions! Agates, crystals, fossils, and certain minerals can have value to collectors. Ruby Glint's app provides estimated market values for rock specimens. Generally, value depends on rarity, size, quality, and aesthetics - well-formed crystals and rare minerals are worth more.

Gemstones are minerals that are beautiful, rare, and durable enough for jewelry. Look for: transparent or translucent appearance, good hardness (at least 7 for most gems), attractive color, and well-formed crystals. Common gemstones you might find include quartz varieties (amethyst, citrine), garnets, and agates. Ruby Glint can identify if your rock is a gemstone-quality mineral.

True meteorites are very rare! Most 'meteorites' are actually terrestrial rocks. Real meteorites are usually: heavy for their size, magnetic (if iron), have a fusion crust (thin dark coating), and lack visible crystals or layers. If you think you've found a meteorite, have it tested by a geologist or university geology department. Ruby Glint can help identify if it's a common rock being mistaken for a meteorite.

Ruby Glint can identify over 6,000 types of rocks, minerals, crystals, and gemstones with 90%+ accuracy. This includes all common rocks you're likely to find (granite, quartz, limestone, basalt) plus rare minerals and crystals. It works best with clear, well-lit photos showing the rock's color, texture, and any crystal formations. It handles everything from backyard finds to professional geological specimens.