A subreddit dedicated to identifying mysterious rocks or minerals.

/r/whatsthisrock Wiki. Example link to wiki to add to your comments (copy/paste):

[Quartz](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisrock/wiki/Quartz)

Rules:

1 Post clear and detailed photographs Post several clear and detailed photographs of your rock or mineral, including close-up photos. An imgur album is preferred.

2 Be kind Be kind to other redditors. Not everyone knows how to identify or categorize rocks and minerals like a geologist, so be kind and helpful when responding to posts and correcting other user's incorrect answers.

3 Top level responses must be attempts to ID the rock (or request for further information) Answers only please! This is not a sub for jokes about what food the rock looks like, what else the rock looks like, "forbidden jolly rancher", etc. Exceptions: if you're just replying to use Remind me bot or that you don't know but are here to find out as well, that's fine. Please don't report these posts, it's ok to be curious as well and not have an answer, we're just trying to get rid of all the joke/food references that bury actual answers.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Post several clear and detailed photographs of your rock or mineral, including close-up photos. An imgur album is preferred.

• Indicate the size using a scale (e.g., a ruler, penny, or banana) for reference

• Include information on geographic location, as well as location details, eg: A riverbed, a quarry, an old iron works.

• Provide any additional interesting information about your specimen; including:

• Color
• Luster – What does the surface look like in the light?
• Density – How heavy is it, for its volume?
• Crystal Form – Any present?
• Cleavage – If it is broken, what pattern does it make?
• Tenacity – How tough is it? How cohesive is the material? Does it fall apart easily?
• Hardness – What can scratch it or what does it scratch?
• Transparency – Does it transmit any light or is it opaque?
• Magnetism, Fluorescence, Odor, Streak Test

RELATED SUBREDDITS

/r/Geology

/r/FossilID

/r/Rockhounds

/r/Geoscience

How do you ID a rock?

Start here:

MSA Rock Key

Rocks are made of minerals - go here next!