Crystals are everywhere once you start looking — in rock shops, on beaches, in road cuttings and in that box of stones you've had for years. A crystal identifier lets you name any of them from a single photo, then learn about their properties and where they come from.
How to identify a crystal from a photo
Set it on a plain background. A neutral surface and soft light let the crystal's colour and form stand out.
Tap Identify. The AI reads crystal habit, transparency, colour and surface, matching them to known species.
Read the result. Get the crystal's name and properties, and save it to your collection.
Identify your crystal now
Snap a photo and name it in seconds — free on iPhone and iPad.
Download freeWhat the AI looks for in a crystal
Colour alone can be misleading — amethyst, citrine and clear quartz are all the same mineral. A good identifier weighs the whole picture:
- Crystal habit — the natural shape: points, cubes, clusters, blades or masses.
- Transparency — clear, translucent or opaque.
- Luster — glassy, pearly, silky or metallic.
- Colour and banding — including zoning and inclusions.
- Termination — how the points form and finish.
Common crystals you'll probably find
- Quartz — clear points; the most common crystal on Earth.
- Amethyst — purple quartz, often in geodes.
- Rose quartz — soft pink, usually massive rather than pointed.
- Calcite, fluorite and pyrite — cubes and rhombs with distinctive luster.
- Agate and jasper — banded chalcedony, popular for tumbling.
Crystal, mineral or gemstone?
A crystal is a mineral with a well-formed geometric shape; a mineral is the underlying substance; a gemstone is a mineral cut or prized for beauty and value. The same scan can point you to any of them — see our mineral identifier and gemstone identifier guides.
Frequently asked
Can I identify a crystal for free?
Yes. The app is free to download and try, with optional unlimited identifications.
Is this good for beginners?
Very. You don't need any tools or knowledge — the AI does the identifying and teaches you as you go.