# Rock Nerd: Rockhound Map Guide — Mineral Crystal Identification > Rockhounding map, mineral identification, and collector community app. (iPhone/iPad app by Terry Brazil.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rock-nerd-rockhound-map-guide/id6760951948 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Terry Brazil](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886983801) - Category: Education, Lifestyle - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.70/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 9+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 107 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-04-14 - Data updated: 2026-10-17 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rock-nerd-rockhound-map-guide/id6760951948/reviews.md ## What is Rock Nerd? Rock Nerd is the field companion rockhounds, mineral collectors, and geology lovers actually use in the dirt—not another “snap a photo and hope” rock scanner. Plan where to go. Know what you might find. Log what you collect. All in one app built for real collecting trips. WHY ROCK NERD IS DIFFERENT • Map-first rockhounding — thousands of collecting spots with photos, reviews, directions, and community verification • Honest Rock ID — answer simple questions about color, hardness, and texture to narrow regional matches (no AI pretending a photo is a lab test) • Built for the field — compass, clinometer, magnetic check, return-to-car, hunt distance, and check-ins at spots • Your collection, organized — Vault logbook for specimens and finds (free tier to start; Premium for unlimited storage) • Trip planner — build multi-stop rockhounding routes and invite friends • Land context on the map — BLM, national forest, geology, and mineral dataset layers to hunt with more confidence • Community — share finds, follow collectors, forums, and spot voting that helps keep pin data trustworthy MAP & COLLECTING SPOTS Browse curated and community spots on an interactive map. Filter by spot type, read reviews, see photos from the field, get directions, and check in when you arrive. Premium unlocks nationwide browsing; free accounts can explore locally. ROCK ID WIZARD Identify rocks, minerals, and fossils common to your region using a guided question flow—not a black-box photo guesser. Pick your area, answer a few field observations, and see ranked matches with photos and learn-more links. New cinematic reveal results make identification feel as satisfying as the hunt itself. FIELD TOOLS Compass, clinometer, altitude, magnetic streak check, return navigation to your car, and live hunt sharing with friends. Tools designed for boots-on-the-ground collecting, not couch browsing. VAULT & TRIPS Keep a personal catalog of your finds. Plan trips with multiple stops, packing lists, and invites. Link field work to your collection over time. MINDAT & LOCAL GEOLOGY Spot cards and Add Spot now surface nearby Mindat locality context so you can connect field finds to real mineral occurrences in your area. COMMUNITY & SOCIAL Following feed, friends, bucket list, Rock Buddy matching (Premium), messages, and state forums—connect with people who share your obsession. FREE TO START. PREMIUM WHEN YOU’RE READY. Download free and explore the map, try Rock ID, and use core field tools. Premium adds nationwide map access, unlimited Vault storage, Rock Buddy, unlimited trips, and more—with monthly, yearly, and lifetime options. No hidden tiers; cancel anytime in your App Store settings. WHO IT’S FOR • Rockhounds and mineral collectors • Crystal and fossil hunters • Geology students and hobbyists • Families exploring nature together • Anyone tired of identifier apps that guess wrong Rock Nerd is made by collectors, for collectors. Hunt with a plan—not a guess. Questions or support: visit rocknerd.app or simply use the report bugs or suggestions button in the profile section. Privacy policy: rocknerd.app/privacy.html Terms of use - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - 2,300+ rockhounding locations - Smart regional rock identification wizard - Personalized collection tracker (My Vault) - Rock Buddy matching for hunting partners - Trip planner and sharing - Community activity feed and messaging ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Rock Nerd Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month | | Rock Nerd Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Rock Nerd Lifetime Premium | $99.99 | one-time | ## Is Rock Nerd safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess Rock Nerd. ## Is Rock Nerd legit? Rock Nerd: Rockhound Map Guide appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Rock Nerd is 65 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rock-nerd-rockhound-map-guide/id6760951948/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Giving it a 2nd try *2026-06-27* I don’t know how to respond to your response. However after reading your response I thought it was well done. Because of your response I am going to give it a 2nd try and pay the premium for a month. Thanks for responding **Developer response:** Rock Nerd is just starting out. All of the locations that you see in California are the only ones that have been added by us so far as it is meant to be a community app. We do this so that our users can also add spots of their own (gain xp, level up, achievements). From there the members vote on the spots that members add and if they get voted in (to ensure its an actual spot) then they get added to the map for everybody to see (even free users). Paid members can see spots that have not been verified and help filter out garbage spots before they reach the general public. The map is just one part of the app though. There are tons of map layers available to use. Im pretty sure more than any other rock hunting / geology map out there. The community tab is coming to life and forums will be in the next update. I have also been talking to some fellow youtube rock and mineral content creators (Im UP Rock Nerds btw) and some of them already have accounts on the app. I hope you have an awesome day. Things are just getting started. If you want to stick around and be part of what I am certain will be the most useful rock hounding app ever. Then I would appreciate that. Either way thanks for giving it a try and reading my reply. Have an awesome day. ### 5/5 — Great app *2026-06-06* App is very detailed and easy to navigate **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review. If you have any suggestions or find any issues please let me know via the suggestions and bug report button on the profile card. I hope you have an awesome day. ## Frequently asked questions about Rock Nerd ### What is Rock Nerd? Rock Nerd is an app designed for rockhounding enthusiasts. It helps users discover new locations, identify rocks using a guided wizard, track their personal collections, and connect with a community of fellow collectors. ### How does the Rock ID Wizard work? The Rock ID Wizard provides guided identification for over 50 rocks per state. It uses location-aware technology to offer realistic results and also educates users on the geology behind their discoveries. ### Can I track my rock finds with Rock Nerd? Yes, Rock Nerd features 'My Vault,' a collection tracker where you can store photos and notes of your best finds. This allows you to organize and showcase your discoveries. ### How can I find other rockhounding partners? Rock Nerd offers a 'Rock Buddy' matching feature, which is available with a Premium subscription. This allows you to find and connect with hunting partners within the app. ### What are the benefits of Rock Nerd Premium? Premium unlocks worldwide map access, unverified spots, the full Rock Buddy finder with unlimited messaging, advanced trip tools, and early access to new features. It also offers a commission opportunity when friends go Premium. ### Is Rock Nerd suitable for younger users? Rock Nerd has an age rating of 9+, making it suitable for younger users interested in geology and rock collecting, with adult supervision recommended for certain activities. ### How often is Rock Nerd updated? The app was last updated on June 4, 2026, with version 1.018. This indicates a relatively active development cycle, suggesting regular improvements and additions. ### Does Rock Nerd have ads? No, Rock Nerd does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases for premium features. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.0.26 — Field Maps, ID & Trip Fixes — 2026-10-15 What’s new in Rock Nerd DAILY ROCK • New daily rock ID challenge with scores, streaks, and a leaderboard • Jump in from Community → Games ROCKOPEDIA • Richer specimen pages and a live catalog • Suggest edits and contribute photos • Download offline state packs (Premium; free users can unlock via ad) MAP — FIELD LAYERS • Nationwide Quaternary / surficial geology — see till, outwash, and more; tap a color for the unit name • USFS MVUM forest roads with vehicle class and seasonal dates • BLM mining claims and mineral materials (especially useful in the West) • Quarries and pits from OpenStreetMap • Recreation.gov campgrounds with clearer trip details • Sharper geology taps and fuller layer info sheets ID WIZARD • Specimen photos load during shuffle and on the results list • Add to Vault opens the full find form so you can add your own photos TRIP PLANNER • Schedule stops onto specific days • Multiple stops on one day; copy the same spot to more than one day COMMUNITY • Poll feedback: tap usernames, reply to comments, and get notified on replies Built for rockhounds who want to hunt smarter — then identify and save what they find. Overlays are for reference only and do not grant collecting rights. Always verify land status and local rules. ### Rock Nerd 1.0.24 (41) — 2026-10-14 What’s new in Rock Nerd DAILY ROCK • New daily rock ID challenge with scores and a leaderboard • Jump in from Community → Games ROCKOPEDIA • Richer specimen pages and a live catalog • Suggest edits and contribute photos • Download offline state packs (Premium; free users can unlock via ad) MAP — FIELD LAYERS • Nationwide Quaternary / surficial geology — see till, outwash, and more; tap a color for the unit name • USFS MVUM forest roads with vehicle class and seasonal dates • BLM mining claims and mineral materials (especially useful in the West) • Quarries and pits from OpenStreetMap • Recreation.gov campgrounds with clearer trip details • Smoother geology taps and fuller layer info sheets Built for rockhounds who want to hunt smarter — then identify and save what they find. Overlays are for reference only and do not grant collecting rights. Always verify land status and local rules. ### Rock Nerd 1.0.24 (37) — 2026-10-09 • Daily Rock streak, best & leaderboard refresh after you play • Come back tomorrow once today’s round is done • Spot corrections with rock chips + Mindat • Premium/Free labels on community posts • More reliable check-ins and faster spot reports • New loading spinner and clearer Rockopedia photo submit ### 1.0.23 — 2026-09-16 What's New in 1.0.23 OFFLINE MAPS Download map areas for use without cell service. Manage packs from Map layers and Settings. Premium trip plans support multi-stop offline downloads. MAP & DISCOVERY • Guest map radius: 75 mi; signed-in free: 200 mi; Premium: unlimited • Map header shows verified spots plus hidden unverified counts for free users • Outside your radius: see what Premium would show in your viewport • Counts update as you pan the map PHOTOS Swipe through multiple photos in reviews, comments, forum posts, DMs, social posts, vault, map pins, and profile galleries — no reloading each image. ROCK ID WIZARD Clearer intro: identification works like a geologist in the field — guided trait questions curated by rockhounds, not AI photo guesses. OTHER • Improved ad experience for free users • Tab order: Map, Community, Tools, ID, Vault, Profile ### 1.022 — 2026-09-07 • New Rock ID reveal — animated results with sound for a more satisfying identification moment • Mindat locality info on spot cards and when adding new spots • Smoother guest and free browsing with clearer Premium benefits • Map upsells when exploring outside your home area • Vault preview for guests — browse before you sign up • Premium trial reminder notifications before your trial ends • Community tab fix for logged-out users • Bug fixes and performance improvements ## Apps similar to Rock Nerd | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [iMineralogist: Rock Map](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imineralogist-rock-map/id6768359844) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Education | | [Rock ID: Gem & Crystal Scan](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rock-id-gem-and-crystal-scan/id6775267906) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Education | | [Geology Toolkit: Field Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/geology-toolkit-field-guide/id6745966254) | 4.6 (25) | Free | Education | | [Prospector Minerals](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prospector-minerals/id6746457921) | — | Free | Education | | [Ruby Glint: Rock Identifier](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ruby-glint-rock-identifier/id6651859991) | 4.7 (210) | Free | Education | | [Rock ID : Crystal Identifier](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rock-id-crystal-identifier/id6776521522) | — | Free | Education | ## More apps by Terry Brazil - [ZenWeave: Goals & Affirmations](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenweave-goals-and-affirmations/id6761838935) - [Tumbler Buddy: Rock Tumbling](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tumbler-buddy-rock-tumbling/id6764164563) All apps by Terry Brazil: https://appshunter.io/developer/1886983801 ## Related topics [rock map](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rock-map) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-17.*