A mineral identifier names the individual crystalline substances that make up rocks. Where a rock identifier tells you "granite," a mineral identifier tells you the quartz, feldspar and mica inside it. Photograph a specimen and the AI returns the mineral and its properties.
How to identify a mineral with the app
Photograph the specimen. Fill the frame, use even light, and show a clean surface.
Tap Identify. The AI reads luster, colour, crystal form and texture and matches known minerals.
Get the name and facts. See the mineral's identity, properties and where it's found — then save it.
The classic mineral ID properties
Geologists identify minerals by a short checklist — and understanding it helps you read your results:
- Luster — metallic (like pyrite) versus non-metallic (glassy, pearly, dull).
- Hardness — the Mohs scale from talc (1) to diamond (10).
- Streak — the colour of the powder when scraped on unglazed tile.
- Cleavage and fracture — whether it breaks along flat planes or curved surfaces.
- Crystal habit — cubes, prisms, blades, masses.
- Colour — useful but the least reliable, since impurities change it.
A photo captures most of these signals at once, which is why AI identification is so fast — but for tricky specimens, a quick hardness or streak test confirms the app's answer.
Minerals people most often find
- Quartz — glassy, hard, in countless colours.
- Feldspar — the most abundant mineral group, often pink or white.
- Mica — thin, peeling, reflective sheets.
- Pyrite — brassy metallic cubes, "fool's gold."
- Calcite — soft, fizzes in acid, rhombic cleavage.
Rock or mineral?
A rock is a mixture of minerals; a mineral is a single, naturally occurring crystalline substance. If your specimen looks uniform with one colour and one crystal form, it's likely a mineral; if it's a patchwork of grains, it's a rock. The app handles both — see our rock identifier guide.
Frequently asked
Is the mineral identifier free?
Yes — free to download and try, with optional unlimited scans, rated 4+.
Can it help identify rocks and minerals for kids?
Yes. It's simple, safe and rated 4+, making it a great way to explore rock and mineral collecting together.