Rock Identifier
Stainless Steel (Polished) (Ferrous Alloy containing Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Carbon (C)) — Mineral equivalent / Metal Alloy
Mineral equivalent / Metal Alloy

Stainless Steel (Polished)

Ferrous Alloy containing Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Carbon (C)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohs; Color: Silver to grey; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (BCC or FCC depending on temperature/processing); Specific Gravity: 7.5 - 8.0

Hardness
5
Color
Silver to grey
Luster
Metallic
Identified More mineral equivalent / metal alloy →
Explore Stainless Steel (Polished) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohs; Color: Silver to grey; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (BCC or FCC depending on temperature/processing); Specific Gravity: 7.5 - 8.0

Formation & geological history

Anthropogenic (Man-made). Formed through the metallurgical smelting of iron ore combined with chromium and other elements to create a corrosion-resistant alloy.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in cookware, cutlery, medical surgical instruments, construction cladding, and industrial hardware due to its high corrosion resistance and strength.

Geological facts

Chromium is the 'magic' ingredient; it creates a microscopic ‘passivation layer’ of chromium oxide on the surface which heals itself when scratched, preventing the iron from rusting.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its non-magnetic properties (if austenitic), silver-grey color, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation (no rust). Commonly found as household kitchenware.

More like this

Other mineral equivalent / metal alloy specimens

Rhyolite (Extrusive igneous rock (felsic)) — igneous

Rhyolite

Extrusive igneous rock (felsic)

igneous
Pallasite Meteorite (Pallasite (ST-class)) — mineral

Pallasite Meteorite

Pallasite (ST-class)

mineral
Metal Alloy (Likely Pewter or Sterling Silver) (Not a natural geological specimen; composed of refined metals. If pewter, it's a tin-based alloy. If sterling silver, it's 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper).) — Man-made material (metal)

Metal Alloy (Likely Pewter or Sterling Silver)

Not a natural geological specimen; composed of refined metals. If pewter, it's a tin-based alloy. If sterling silver, it's 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper).

Man-made material (metal)
Gold (10K Alloy) (Aurum (Au) with alloying metals (Cu, Ag, Zn)) — mineral

Gold (10K Alloy)

Aurum (Au) with alloying metals (Cu, Ag, Zn)

mineral
Unidentified gray metallic object (Not determinable from the image; likely a metal screw or manufactured fastener rather than geological material) — mineral

Unidentified gray metallic object

Not determinable from the image; likely a metal screw or manufactured fastener rather than geological material

mineral
Likely gold-colored metal ring with a possible gemstone (Uncertain; possibly gold alloy (Au) with a small quartz or glass-like setting) — mineral

Likely gold-colored metal ring with a possible gemstone

Uncertain; possibly gold alloy (Au) with a small quartz or glass-like setting

mineral