Identify Rock — Free Online Rock Identifier
Identify Rock is a lightweight web app that uses image analysis to identify rock types from user-uploaded photos. It’s designed for fast, no-sign-up use on mobile or desktop and returns likely matches and informational context within seconds.
Key features
- Photo-based classification: Upload one or multiple clear images (different angles, fresh breaks) for improved accuracy.
- Mobile-first UX: Supports camera uploads and drag-and-drop file selection for quick field use.
- Metadata support: Optionally provide location and observation details (hardness, streak, magnetism) to refine results.
- Fast results: Server-side image matching against a rock/mineral database to surface likely types and descriptions.
- Privacy-friendly: No account required; simple contact email for support.
Technical details
- Accepts standard image MIME types (image/*) and multiple files per identification request.
- Likely uses an image recognition model or similarity search against a labeled database to return candidate rock types.
- Outputs textual labels and descriptions, suitable for further research or cross-checking with expert resources.
Use cases
- Amateur rockhounds and hobbyists identifying finds in the field.
- Educators demonstrating rock classification in geology courses.
- Citizen scientists contributing observations with contextual metadata.
- Quick triage tool for researchers to filter large photo collections by rock type.
Limitations & best practices
- Accuracy depends on image clarity, lighting, and visible diagnostic features; provide multiple angles and fresh breaks when possible.
- Not a substitute for professional petrological analysis—consult experts for rare or valuable specimens.
- Useful complementary tool for exploratory identification and educational purposes.
