About Rockhound
Rockhound: Rock Identifier is the iOS app behind rockhound.app — built to answer one question millions of people ask every year: what is that rock?
The story
Rockhound was built by indie developer Naveen Dhanapal and launched on the App Store in December 2025. The idea was simple: rock identification shouldn't require a geology degree, a reference library, or hours of forum posting. Point your camera at a rock, and get a real answer.
Since launch, Rockhound has grown from a photo identifier into a full field companion — an atlas of more than 200,000 collecting sites, offline maps for remote trips, a complete mineral database, and a collection manager for the specimens you bring home.
Our mission
Make geology accessible to everyone. Whether you're a seasoned rockhound, a geology student, or a kid who just found something sparkly in the creek, you deserve a fast, honest answer about what you're holding — and the knowledge to understand it.
What makes Rockhound different
Human experts, not just AI. Most rock identifier apps stop at an AI guess. Rockhound shows a confidence score with every identification, and when you want certainty, you can send your specimen to a professional geologist for expert confirmation or correction within 24–48 hours, complete with detailed notes. It's the combination that matters: AI for speed, humans for trust.
Built for the field, not just the couch. The atlas maps 200,000+ collecting sites — BLM and Forest Service lands, known mineral localities — with directions and site details. Download offline maps before you leave, and everything keeps working in remote areas without cell coverage.
Real geology depth. The mineral database covers Mohs hardness, crystal systems, chemical formulas, optical and mechanical properties, formation environments, and IMA status for thousands of minerals — plus practical tools like the interactive Mohs hardness test.
The app today
Rockhound is free to download for iPhone and iPad (iOS 17.6 or later), rated 5.0 on the App Store, with optional Pro features for expert geologist verification. It's published by Naveen Dhanapal, and you can find the developer's site at rockhound.app.
Questions, feedback, or a rock that stumped the app? We'd genuinely love to hear from you — see the contact page, or explore our free rock and mineral identification guides.