Crystal Identifier: Free Photo Identification
Snap or upload a photo of your crystal point, cluster, or tumbled stone to determine what crystal is this and verify authenticity.
Drop your rock photo here to identify for free
Snap or upload any rock, crystal, mineral, or stone. Our AI analyzes texture, color, and cleavage instantly.
What Crystal Is This? Instant Photo Crystal Identification
Crystals are organized solid substances whose atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in an orderly, repeating three-dimensional lattice. If you are asking what crystal is this, our crystal identifier scans geometric symmetry, terminal facets, transparency, refractive luster, and color zoning. Whether you hold a raw hexagonal quartz point, a vibrant purple amethyst geode, or a fibrous selenite wand, our AI provides instant species recognition.
What Kind of Crystal Is This? Crystal Systems & Families
To identify what kind of crystal is this, geologists categorize crystals into seven primary crystal systems: Isometric (cubes like pyrite and fluorite), Hexagonal (prisms like beryl/emerald), Trigonal (points like quartz and amethyst), Tetragonal (like zircon and apophyllite), Orthorhombic (topaz), Monoclinic (selenite/gypsum), and Triclinic (labradorite/rhodonite). Identifying the natural geometric prism angles is the fastest path to naming your crystal.
How to Tell If a Crystal Is Real (Vs. Glass, Resin or Dyed Quartz)
Glass Scratch Test
Genuine quartz crystals (Mohs 7) will effortlessly scratch a glass bottle or slide. Glass counterfeits (Mohs 5.5) cannot scratch quartz or other true silicate crystals.
Internal Inclusions & Imperfections
True natural crystals almost always contain microscopic veils, natural cracks, mineral phantoms, or clouding. Completely flawless, hyper-clear specimens without inclusions are often molded glass.
No Round Air Bubbles
Use a 10x magnifying loupe to look inside the crystal. Spherical, round air bubbles are conclusive proof of man-made molten glass. Natural crystals contain fluid inclusions with angular margins.
Dye Concentration in Cracks
Fake dyed crystals (such as dyed agate or fake howlite sold as turquoise) show intense artificial color pooled in surface fissures and cracks where liquid dye soaked in.
Common Crystal Specimens
| Specimen Name | Category | Key Identification Trait |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Quartz | Trigonal Silicate | 6-sided hexagonal prism with pointed pyramid termination; Mohs 7; scratches glass. |
| Purple Amethyst | Trigonal Quartz | Vivid violet-purple crystal points clustered inside volcanic geode cavities. |
| Satin Spar Selenite | Monoclinic Gypsum | Silky fibrous white luster, extremely soft (Mohs 2); scratched easily by fingernail. |
| Fluorite Octahedron | Isometric Halide | Soft (Mohs 4), translucent green/purple bands, 4 directions of perfect cleavage. |