Comparison

Rock identifier & Rock scanner vs Bench Reference

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Rock identifier & Rock scanner

Identify rocks, minerals, and gems with a vast offline database. Features detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and a user-friendly interface for easy searching and saving favorites.

Highlights
  • Offline rock identification
  • Extensive database of rocks, minerals, and gems
  • Detailed descriptions and high-quality images
  • Search by name
  • Save favorite stones
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

Crystal Recognizer is the best offline app about rocks, minerals and gems! The app provides detailed information and high quality images to help you easily identify different types of stones. With a user-friendly interface, you can quickly navigate through the vast collection of stones and gems. You can search for stones and gems by name. One of the app's key features is its extensive database of rocks, minerals, and gems. You can also save your favorite stones and gems for easy reference later. Advantages: - Huge database of rocks, minerals and gems; - Images and detailed descriptions; - Modern interface design; - Search for stones and gems by name; - Add your favorite stones and jewels to your favorites; - Ideal for everyone: geology students, stone collectors, jewelers and enthusiasts. Crystal Recognizer is the perfect tool for anyone who wants to learn more about the beauty and mystery of stones and minerals, who is interested in rocks, minerals and gemstones. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hw53t6r1ECoO8Ic2qQbnnrXXzDCHz6HedafzQlDL3JU/edit?usp=sharing Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dbTefZgVzUwNdO-mqXZ4qJGqegisIP14R5ITFnbRP3w/edit?usp=sharing

About

Bench Reference

This professional jeweler's reference guide provides comprehensive information on gemstones, metals, and bench techniques. It includes calculators for pricing, measurements, and 3D printing, along with a personal library and learning tools. Essential for jewelers needing quick access to data and procedures without an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Gemstone and material reference
  • Bench technique guides
  • Metal properties and working notes
  • Repair procedures
  • Measurement and data conversions
  • Professional calculators
  • Personal library system
Features
Read full description

Bench Reference — The Professional Jeweler's Pocket Guide Everything a bench jeweler needs, right on your phone. Bench Reference puts 30+ reference sections, professional calculators, and a personal library system in your pocket — no internet required. GEMSTONES & MATERIALS Browse 100+ gemstones with Mohs hardness, specific gravity, refractive index, care instructions, setting tips, steam safety, and cleaning methods. Filter by hardness or steam safety to make quick decisions at the bench. Plus dedicated sections for pearls, birthstones, gemstone origins, and stone shapes. BENCH TECHNIQUES Step-by-step reference guides for stone setting (prong, bezel, pavé, channel, flush, tension), soldering, casting, polishing, engraving, wax carving, repairs, annealing, torch & gas, laser welding, rhodium plating, patina & oxidation, and chemical safety. Each section built from real bench experience. 23 METALS Melting points, annealing temps, hardness, specific gravity, and working notes for every metal you'll encounter — from 24K gold and platinum to palladium, steel, and titanium. REPAIRS HUB Sizing up, sizing down, shank replacement, prong rebuilding, chain repair, clasp replacement, soldering guides, porosity troubleshooting, and more. A complete repair reference when you're at the bench. MEASUREMENTS & DATA Ring sizes (US/UK/EU with conversions), wire gauge reference, MM-to-carat weight charts by stone shape, chain styles, necklace and bracelet lengths, finding sizes, and formulas for weight, pricing, and alloy calculations. IDENTIFICATION & TESTING Gemstone testing methods, acid testing procedures for gold, silver, and platinum, hallmark identification, metal allergy reference, and a Stone ID table with SG and RI values for quick identification. PROFESSIONAL TOOLS Ring Blank Calculator — stock length for any ring size Metal Weight Calculator — weight by dimensions and alloy Job Pricing Calculator — materials, labor, and markup Temperature Converter — Fahrenheit and Celsius Weight Converter — grams, dwt, troy oz, carats Bench Timer — burnout and casting countdowns 3D PRINT & CAD Castable resin profiles, resin comparison charts, shrinkage calculator, burnout schedules, support placement guide, troubleshooting, post-processing, printer settings, and stone-in-place casting. Plus MatrixGold CAD shortcuts and workflows. MY LIBRARY Your personal database. Store product specs, component details, alloy recipes, consumable inventory, and supplier contacts. Add photos, SKUs, links, and notes. Organized by category, searchable, and always with you. LEARN & PRACTICE Flashcards and quizzes covering gemstones, metals, setting techniques, and bench skills. Study at your own pace. Perfect for apprentices and seasoned jewelers brushing up. GLOSSARY 200+ jewelry industry terms defined clearly — from bail to burnisher, firescale to findings. NEW IN v8.1 Redesigned splash screen and home page Expanded and fact-checked reference data across metals, solders, gemstones, and casting Added Wire Gauge reference, Patina & Oxidation section, and new gemstones to Stone ID Fixed display issues and icons throughout the app General polish and performance improvements BUILT FOR THE BENCH No ads. No subscriptions. No internet required. Bench Reference is built by jewelers for jewelers — a single purchase that works offline, everywhere you need it.

Screenshots

Rock identifier & Rock scanner4 screens
Bench Reference4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Rock identifier & Rock scanner at Free against Bench Reference's $4.99. Rock identifier & Rock scanner also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.2). Bench Reference's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Rock identifier & Rock scanner is free to download; Bench Reference costs $4.99 up front. Rock identifier & Rock scanner sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days. Bench Reference asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bench Reference holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Rock identifier & Rock scanner's written reviews are positive against 100% of Bench Reference's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rock identifier & Rock scanner ships an update monthly, Bench Reference weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Rock identifier & Rock scanner versus Bench Reference: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRock identifier & Rock scannerBench Reference
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4 — better2
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB3 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSergey StepanovAaron brown

Customer experience

Rock identifier & Rock scanner

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Bench Reference

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Rock identifier & Rock scanner

Subscriptions5
  • Premium week3 Days trial$2.497 Days
  • Premium week$2.497 Days
  • Premium month$3.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Premium year$19.991 Year
  • Premium year3 Days trial$19.991 Year
None

Bench Reference

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rock identifier & Rock scanner free?
Rock identifier & Rock scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bench Reference free?
Bench Reference costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Rock identifier & Rock scanner or Bench Reference?
Bench Reference is rated higher. Rock identifier & Rock scanner averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Bench Reference averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Rock identifier & Rock scanner or Bench Reference have ads?
Neither Rock identifier & Rock scanner nor Bench Reference shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rock identifier & Rock scanner or Bench Reference?
Rock identifier & Rock scanner ships an update monthly, and Bench Reference weekly. Most recently, Rock identifier & Rock scanner was updated on September 14, 2026 and Bench Reference on October 12, 2026.

Other comparisons