Ruby Glint vs Rock Nerd
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ruby Glint
Instantly identify rocks, crystals, minerals, and gemstones by taking or uploading a photo. Learn their names, properties, origins, and even their value. Explore a global marketplace and track your own collection.
- Photo-based identification
- Detailed stone information
- Rock and mineral location map
- Learning modules
- Global gemstone marketplace
- Collection tracker
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Ruby Glint is your all-in-one app to identify rock, crystal, mineral and gemstone in seconds. Take or upload a photo of any rock or crystal, and instantly get accurate results. Ruby Glint helps you recognize over 6,600 types of stones, crystals, minerals, and gemstones using advanced rock identification. Found a rock while exploring and want to know what it is? Are you curious about the crystals, minerals, and gemstones in your collection? Ruby Glint is the best app to identify rocks, crystals, minerals, gemstones, and stones. Take a photo and get instant results. Learn the name, properties, and value of each stone. Explore crystal meanings, find out where rocks come from, and build your own collection. If you love rocks and gemstones, this crystal and mineral app is made for you. Rock, Crystal, Mineral, and Gemstone Identifier Snap a photo of any rock, stone, crystal, or mineral to identify it quickly. Our powerful rock identifier and gemstone scanner matches your photo with thousands of known stones and crystals. Perfect for crystal collectors, mineral enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the rocks they find. Learn About Every Stone Each identification result gives you detailed information: scientific name, hardness, color, composition, and formation. Learn where each rock, crystal, or mineral is commonly found. From quartz crystals to rare gemstones, Ruby Glint’s crystal identifier makes geology easy to explore. Rock and Mineral Location Map Discover where others are finding crystals, gemstones, and minerals using our interactive rock map. See what stones are scanned in your area, or add your own discovery to the crystal and mineral community. Best map for rockhound. Crystal and Mineral Learning Modules Want to learn more about rocks, crystals, and stones? Explore guided lessons on gemstone grading, mineral types, crystal healing, and more. Build your knowledge and become confident in identifying every stone you come across using powerful stone identifier features. Global Gemstone Marketplace Buy and sell gemstones, crystals, and mineral specimens with collectors worldwide. Browse listings, filter by stone type, and connect with trusted buyers and sellers through our gemstone trading platform. In-App Chat and Offers Ask sellers about specific stones or crystals. Make offers directly and keep all communication secure inside the app. Ideal for crystal traders, gemstone collectors, and rock enthusiasts. Crystal and Mineral Collection Tracker Keep a digital record of your rocks and minerals. Organize your stone collection by type, location, or notes. Ruby Glint helps you track every crystal and gemstone you identify or collect. Crystal Meanings and Healing Uses Learn the spiritual and healing properties of popular crystals and stones. Explore chakras, birthstones, zodiac gems, and how crystals have been used across cultures for centuries. Ask a Rock Expert Have questions about a gemstone or mineral? Submit photos and get insights from experienced collectors and crystal specialists. Great for getting a second opinion or confirming rare finds. Built for Every Rock and Crystal Lover Whether you're a beginner in rockhounding, a mineral hobbyist, a crystal lover, or a gemstone trader, Ruby Glint helps you identify, understand, and enjoy every stone you find. Download Ruby Glint today to identify any stone, explore its value, and connect with the global gemstone community. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Contact us: support@rubyglint.com Find out more about Ruby Glint at: https://rubyglint.com
Rock Nerd
Discover and identify rocks with a comprehensive map of over 2,300 locations. Track your finds, connect with other enthusiasts, and learn about geology. Premium features unlock worldwide access and advanced community tools.
- 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
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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/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Ruby Glint at 210 against Rock Nerd's 6. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Ruby Glint sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Rock Nerd sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Ruby Glint against 4.7 for Rock Nerd. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ruby Glint has 210 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 48% of Ruby Glint's written reviews are positive against 50% of Rock Nerd's.
Ruby Glint ships an update every 11 days, Rock Nerd every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.
| Parameter | Ruby Glint | Rock Nerd |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (210 ratings) | 4.7 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 47.6% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 210 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 110 MB | 107 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Ruby Glint Technologies Co., Ltd | Terry Brazil |
Customer experience
Ruby Glint
Rock Nerd
In-app purchases
Ruby Glint
- AI Tools Premium Weekly3 Days trial$6.997 Days
- Monthly Unlimited$9.991 Month
- Yearly Unlimited7 Days trial$29.991 Year
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- Yearly Unlimited7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Yearly Unlimited7 Days trial$69.991 Year
Rock Nerd
- Rock Nerd Monthly Subscription$3.991 Month
- Rock Nerd Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Rock Nerd Lifetime Premium$99.99
Questions
Is Ruby Glint free?
Is Rock Nerd free?
Which has better reviews, Ruby Glint or Rock Nerd?
Do Ruby Glint or Rock Nerd have ads?
Which is updated more often, Ruby Glint or Rock Nerd?
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