Rockbud

Rock, crystal & mineral identifier

Snap a rock. Meet its story.

Point your camera at a rock, crystal or mineral. Bud tells you what it is in seconds, how sure it is, and a quick at-home test to check for yourself.

See what it does

Free to download · 3 free scans · 7-day free trial on the yearly plan

Rockbud app screen: A labradorite, identified with high confidence

Bud, a little rock with an amethyst geode on top, waving hello

A closer look

Real screens from Rockbud, just as you'll see them.

Swipe to see more

Rockbud app screen: Bud compares color and texture while it scans — Bud compares color and texture while it scans

Rockbud app screen: A Confirm-it streak test that tells pyrite from gold — A Confirm-it streak test that tells pyrite from gold

Rockbud app screen: A rough value range, with the reasoning behind it — A rough value range, with the reasoning behind it

Rockbud app screen: An amethyst geode, added to the Rockdex — An amethyst geode, added to the Rockdex

Rockbud app screen: The Rockdex: 60 classic finds to collect — The Rockdex: 60 classic finds to collect

What you get

Every rock has a story

Name it in seconds

The name, type and a confidence score, plus hardness, streak, luster, what it's made of and where it forms.

Not sure? Confirm it

When two minerals look alike, Bud gives you one quick test at home: streak, scratch, magnet or fizz.

Look-alikes, explained

“Could also be” shows the closest matches and exactly how to tell them apart.

A fair value range

A rough range for a typical specimen, with the reasoning behind it. An honest estimate, not an appraisal.

Fill your Rockdex

Every find is saved with its photo and your notes. Collect 60 classic finds, plus bonus finds for rarer stones.

Watch Bud grow

Climb from Sleepy Pebble to Master Geologist, and earn badges like Fire Born, Layer Cake and Time Traveler.

Watch Bud grow

Every find helps Bud grow, from Sleepy Pebble to Master Geologist.

Sleepy Pebble
Pebble Pup
Rock Rookie
Rockhound
Geode Hunter
Crystal Keeper
Master Geologist

Rockbud app screen: Could also be: obsidian or slag glass, and how to tell — Could also be: obsidian or slag glass, and how to tell

Honest about accuracy. Rockbud identifies rocks from a photo, and some minerals look almost identical in pictures. That's why every answer shows how sure it is, the closest look-alikes and a test you can do at home. Value ranges are rough estimates, not appraisals. Never lick, eat or heat an unknown mineral: some are toxic.

Honest pricing

Try it free. Then one plan for the whole family.

Rockbud is free to download. No ads, and the trial terms are on screen before you start.

Try it
Free
A sample scan, then 3 real scans. No subscription needed.
Yearly · most popular
$19.99 / year
7-day free trial first. About $1.67 a month.
Monthly
$3.99 / month
No trial. Stop whenever you like.

Family Sharing: one plan covers up to six people
A reminder 2 days before your trial ends (if you allow notifications)
Cancel anytime in Settings › your name › Subscriptions
Up to 40 identifications a day, so it stays fast and fair

US prices; local prices are shown in the app before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. With the yearly free trial, the first payment is charged when the trial ends; cancel at least 24 hours before then and you pay nothing. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. See the Terms of Use.

Questions

Rockbud questions

How accurate is Rockbud?

Very good with a clear daylight photo of one rock, but no photo app is perfect: many minerals look alike, and dyes, coatings and glass can fool a camera. Every answer shows how sure it is, the closest look-alikes and a quick test (streak, scratch, magnet or fizz) so you can check for yourself.

Can Rockbud tell me what my rock is worth?

It gives a rough value range for a typical specimen of that kind, with the reasoning. That's a guide, not an appraisal. Size, quality, treatments and where it came from change the price a lot, so for anything that might be valuable, ask a gem lab or a qualified appraiser.

Does it work on crystals, gemstones and fossils?

Yes. Rockbud knows thousands of rocks, crystals, gems and minerals, and its Rockdex has sections for minerals and crystals, gems, rocks, fossils and finds from space.

Is Rockbud free?

Rockbud is free to download, with a sample scan and 3 real scans free. After that, identifying rocks needs Rockbud Premium: $19.99 a year with a 7-day free trial, or $3.99 a month.

Does one subscription cover my whole family?

Yes. Family Sharing is on, so one subscription covers up to six people in your Apple family group.

More answers on the Rockbud support page

Guides