Support

Questions, bug reports, or feedback? We respond to every email.

Frequently asked

Why is my identification wrong?

Rock identification from a single phone photo is probabilistic — even expert geologists disagree on species from photos alone. The confidence bar tells you how sure the model is; when it's low, try the built-in 30-second field test (scratch, streak, magnet, or acid) to verify. You can also tap "Get a second opinion" (Premium) to re-run the photo through a stronger model on ambiguous scans.

How do I do a field test?

Tap Verify in 30 seconds on any result card. The app walks you through the most diagnostic test for that species — a hardness scratch, streak on unglazed ceramic, magnet test, or household-vinegar fizz test. Mark "Confirmed" or "Didn't match" at the end; confirmed tests add a verified badge to the specimen in your collection.

Which household items work for the hardness test?

Your fingernail (Mohs 2.5), a copper penny (Mohs 3.5), a steel nail or knife edge (Mohs 5.5), and window glass (Mohs 5.5). The app suggests the specific boundary tool to use based on the identified species — for instance, amethyst (Mohs 7) should not be scratched by a steel nail.

What does "Traditional belief, not scientific" mean?

Crystal mode surfaces chakra associations and traditional metaphysical attributes for specimens. These are cultural and educational references — they are not scientific or medical claims. The label is always present in Crystal mode and the content is hidden entirely in Kids mode.

Why does the app flag a "dyed" or "treated" specimen?

The model looks for unnatural color saturation, dye seeping along seams, surface-only color, and suspicious uniformity — common hallmarks of dyed howlite sold as turquoise, heat-treated citrine (amethyst baked to simulate citrine), and dyed agate. Tap the flag to see the reason and an associated field test.

How do I get more scans?

The free tier includes 5 lifetime scans. Upgrade to Premium ($7.99/month or $59.99/year with a 7-day free trial) for unlimited scans. Manage your subscription in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.

Why does the app ask for camera access?

The app needs the camera to photograph specimens for identification. You can also pick an existing photo from your library. Camera and photo-library permissions can be changed in Settings → Rock Identifier at any time.

Can I use this for commercial resale or insurance?

No. Per our Terms of Service, Rock Identifier is informational. Commercial appraisal, insurance valuation, and academic identification require certified grading or laboratory analysis (XRF, Raman). Use the app as a check, not as a source of truth, and always confirm high-value specimens with a local gemologist or laboratory.

What modes are available?

Three — pick the default on first launch or any time from the Dashboard chip:

• Geologist: Mohs hardness, streak, crystal system, chemical formula, rock type, formation context, common global locations.
• Crystal: traditional chakra + associations + care notes, plus the full physical-properties grid.
• Kids: simple summary, hardness in stars, fun fact. Metaphysical content is hidden entirely.

How do I restore my subscription?

Open the app, go to Settings → Restore Purchases. The app will re-check your Apple ID for active subscriptions.

How do I export my collection?

Premium subscribers can tap the share icon in the Collection tab to export a CSV with every specimen's id, name, category, confidence, verified status, hardness, rock type, value range, and creation date. The CSV is shared via the standard iOS share sheet.

How do I delete my data?

Specimen history is stored locally on your device. Delete individual entries by swiping left on any row in the Collection tab. Uninstalling the app removes all local data. Server-side images are auto-deleted within 24 hours of scanning.