The first app I have chosen to explore is called Rock Identifier. It was the highest rated mobile app in the app store and had lots of features that I was looking for and interested in testing out. I was very excited to be able to learn what type of rock I had found with a quick scan. As well as learn more information about the rock from the scan. The app has a 7-day free trial, then after that, you have to subscribe to the pro version to access the scanning part of the app. I quickly realized I was interested in all the features of the pro version, so I decided to pay, but I would like to still explore other apps and see if I can find any equivalent free options.

The first thing I did after downloading the app and getting a feel for the features was go straight to my rock collection and start scanning all my favourite rocks. I probably sat in my room scanning and identifying rocks for 30 minutes straight. I have loved collecting rocks and always wanted to know more, but never thought of how there could be a simple technology out there that could help me with it.

The more I used the app, the more I learned about the features. Once you scan a rock and the app identifies it, it provides you with the rock’s basic info, value, and culture. Under the basic info, there are key facts, the rock’s description, how to identify it, physical properties, chemical properties, formation, age distribution, and usage. The app also has suggested books for rock collectors and access to different articles on rocks and rock collecting. Another section of the app includes an educational section on how to tell if rocks/gems are real vs fake. There is also a huge collection of popular and rare rocks, so you can learn about all types of rocks.

As I continue to explore the app and my journey of rock collecting, I hope to learn more about the local rocks and how to start identifying rocks on my own. My goal is to be able to identify the more common rocks on my own without the app on my next rock collecting journey, as well as find a new type of rock to add to my collection.