Curious finders
Put a name to the stone that stopped you on the trail.
Pocket geology for curious people
Every stone has a story. Start with a photo.
StoneScout helps you identify rocks, minerals, and crystals, understand the clues behind the match, and build a collection of the finds you never want to forget.
- No account required
- Honest candidate matches
- Optional location tags
From “what is this?” to “now I know.”
Three steps. A much better answer.
A photo is the beginning, not the verdict. StoneScout shows likely candidates and gives you practical clues to keep investigating.
- 01
Photograph the find
Use the camera or choose a clear photo you already took in the field.
- 02
Compare the candidates
See ranked matches, confidence, and safe observations that can separate lookalikes.
- 03
Keep its story
Save the specimen, add photos and notes, and optionally remember where you found it.
More than a name
See the details that make a specimen distinctive.
Move from a likely match to a useful field card: formation, chemistry, physical properties, care, common imitations, and where the material occurs.
- Calibrated confidence and alternate matches
- Hardness, luster, streak, crystal form, and more
- Care guidance and genuine-material clues
- Value context framed as an estimate—not an appraisal
9:41● ●
High confidence · 92%
Amethyst
Quartz variety
Hardness7 MohsLusterVitreousSystemTrigonalFormulaSiO₂
FormationGrows in silica-rich cavities
CareAvoid prolonged strong sunlight
HomeCollectionScanGuideMe
◆Ranked matchesUncertainty stays visible
⌖Find locationOptional and in your control
Field trips become stories.Built for the curious
You don’t need a geology degree to look closer.
StoneScout meets you where you are, then gives you enough context to take the next step with confidence.
Collectors
Organize owned finds and wishlist pieces with photos and notes.
Families
Turn a beach walk or backyard discovery into a shared lesson.
Crystal enthusiasts
Compare physical facts, care guidance, and traditional meanings.
Buyers & sellers
Spot common imitation clues and get value context before seeking an appraisal.
Experienced hobbyists
Add hands-on traits when a photo cannot separate close lookalikes.
Certainty without pretending
Nature is messy. Your answer should be honest.
Color alone rarely settles an identification. StoneScout keeps alternate candidates visible and suggests safe checks—such as luster, magnetism, streak, transparency, or relative hardness—when the photo leaves room for doubt.
StoneScout is an educational aid, not a substitute for laboratory testing, professional appraisal, or safety advice.
PyriteMetallic mineral68%ChalcopyriteCopper iron sulfide21%
MarcasiteIron sulfide11%
Try a streak checkPyrite usually leaves a greenish-black to brownish-black streak.
From the field notes
Bring better questions outside.
How to Identify a Rock From a Photo (and What a Photo Cannot Tell You)Use a rock photo to build a careful shortlist, then add safe observations that separate lookalikes and reveal when an expert is needed.
Six Clues That Matter More Than ColorLearn to compare luster, grain, crystal form, breakage, hardness, and heft—the physical clues that make mineral identification more reliable.
How to Take Better Rock Identification PhotosLearn how to choose one clear rock photo that shows useful color, scale, texture, and luster for a StoneScout identification.
Your next find is already out there
Bring a pocket geologist.
StoneScout for iPhone is in development. Join the launch list for release news and field notes.
Get launch updates