Rock Identifier Online:
Identify Any Rock by Photo Free

"Rock," "mineral," and "stone" get used interchangeably every day — but in geology, each one means something different. Minerals are pure substances, rocks are mixtures of minerals, and stones are usually just smaller pieces of rock. Here's how to tell them apart for good, with simple examples you'll actually remember.

Quartz and calcite are two of the most common minerals on Earth — and two of the most frequently confused. A copper coin and a drop of vinegar are all you need to tell them apart instantly. This guide covers every reliable test, side by side.

Most people try to identify minerals by colour alone — and that's exactly why they get it wrong. This guide walks you through the seven physical properties that geologists actually use in the field: luster, colour, streak, hardness, cleavage, crystal form, and special properties like magnetism and acid reaction. No lab required — just a coin, a nail, and a piece of porcelain tile.