Editing v0.34:The Non-Dwarf's Guide to Rock

{{quality|Exceptional|18:21, 22 May 2012 (UTC)}}{{av}}


Wondering what that new kind of rock your dwarves just struck is good for? Possibly nothing, but when you're just getting started it can be tough to tell the trash from the treasure. The following table summarizes the types of stone and ore found in Dwarf Fortress; it does not include [[gem]]s.

The ''Uses'' column lists any special uses or properties of this particular stone type; if no uses are listed, you can always use the stone for general construction and crafting.  Note that many "low-value" materials are still ''very'' useful in a Dwarf Fortress.  "Colors" are useful for color coding or [[style project|creative aesthetic uses]].

For more detailed and expanded information, see the [[Stone]], [[Ore]], [[Metal|Metals & Alloys]], [[Vein|Veins & Clusters]], and [[Smelting]] pages, or the article on any particular stone, metal or ore.

During the game, you can press {{key|z}} and then navigate to "stone". The list there covers all types of rocks and ores, and tells you what rocks can be smelted into.  

==Table of Rocks==

''(Some materials are worth an additional comment; these are numbered, with footnotes below the table.)''

{|class="sortable" border = 1 cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"

| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Name'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Type'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Uses'''
| class="unsortable" align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Appearance*'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Fortune?'''
|-
| [[Raw adamantine|Adamantine, raw]]||ore, special<sup>1</sup>||Becomes [[Adamantine]]<sup>1</sup>, by far the most valuable substance||{{Raw Tile|£|3:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|3:1}}||Yes, very much
|-
| [[Alabaster]]||stone||Low-value stone; used for making [[plaster]]||{{Raw Tile|^|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||Not really, but important for making a hospital
|-
| [[Native aluminum|Aluminum, native]]||ore, high-value||Smelt into [[Aluminum]], a high-value decorative [[metal]]||{{Raw Tile|^|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|7:1}}||Yes, if you are looking to make some more wealth and decorations
|-
| [[Alunite]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|`|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Andesite]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|8|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Anhydrite]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|v|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:0}}||No
|-
| [[Basalt]]||layer stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|#|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Bauxite]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone; only source of some high-value gems||{{Raw Tile|+|4:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|4:0}}||No, but there might be gems nested in the vein
|-
| [[Bismuthinite]]||ore, rare||Ingredient of [[bismuth bronze]]||{{Raw Tile|%|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|7:0}}||A bit
|-
| [[Bituminous coal]]||stone||Smelt into [[Fuel]], flammable||{{Raw Tile|¤|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|¤|0:1}}||Not exactly fortune, but if you dont find any you would better have a lot of trees.
|-
| [[Borax]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|`|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Brimstone]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|%|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:1}}||No
|-
| [[Calcite]]||stone||[[Flux]], mid-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|"|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||A bit, can be used in making steel
|-
| [[Cassiterite]]||ore, uncommon||Smelt into [[Tin]], a low-value metal; ingredient of [[Bronze]]s; [[magma-safe]]||{{Raw Tile|£|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|*|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Chalk]]||layer stone||[[Flux]], mid-value stone||{{Raw Tile|¦|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||A bit, can be used in making steel
|-
| [[Chert]]||layer stone|| Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|&#61;|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Chromite]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|&#61;|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Cinnabar]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|£|4:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|4:1}}||No
|-
| [[Claystone]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|,|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Cobaltite]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|£|1:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|1:1}}||No
|-
| [[Conglomerate]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|8|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Native copper|Copper, native]]||ore, low-value||Smelt into useful [[Copper]]; ingredient of [[Bronze]]s||{{Raw Tile|£|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|*|6:0}}||Sort of; can be used to make early armor or weapons if you cant find any better metal
|-
| [[Cryolite]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|-|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Dacite]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|.|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:0}}||No
|-
| [[Diorite]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|¦|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Dolomite]]||layer stone||[[Flux]], mid-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|`|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||A bit, can be used to make steel
|-
| [[Gabbro]]||layer stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone; only source of some [[ore]]s & [[gem]]s||{{Raw Tile|¦|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No, but it may have certain ores or gems nested in it
|-
| [[Galena]]||ore||Smelt into [[Lead]], a low-value metal, with a 50% chance<sup>2</sup> for [[Silver]]; [[magma-safe]]||{{Raw Tile|£|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Garnierite]]||ore, uncommon||Smelt into [[Nickel]], a low-value [[magma-safe]] metal ||{{Raw Tile|£|2:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|2:1}}||No
|-
| [[Gneiss]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|&#61;|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:0}}||No
|-
| [[Native gold|Gold, native]]||ore||Smelt into [[Gold]], a high-value [[metal]]||{{Raw Tile|£|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|6:1}}||Yes
|-
| [[Granite]]||layer stone||Low-value stone; only source of some ores; relatively rich in content||{{Raw Tile|¦|7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:0}}||Not really, but contains other ores and gems
|-
| [[Graphite]]||stone||Flammable||{{Raw Tile|o|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Gypsum]]||stone||Low-value stone; used for making [[plaster]]||{{Raw Tile|#|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:1}}||Not in wealth, but is important to set up a hospital
|-
| [[Hematite]]||ore||Smelt into [[Iron]], a mid-value metal; ingredient for [[Steel]]; [[magma-safe]]||{{Raw Tile|£|4:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|*|4:0}}||Yes
|-
| [[Horn silver]]||ore||Smelt into [[Silver]], a mid-value metal||{{Raw Tile|£|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|7:1}}||A bit
|-
| [[Hornblende]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|"|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Ilmenite]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|.|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Ice]]<sup>3</sup>||stone/water<sup>3</sup>||Frozen Water||{{Raw Tile|¦|3:3:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|3:1}}||No. Can be [[fun]].
|-
| [[Jet]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|¦|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Kaolinite]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone; used for making [[porcelain]]||{{Raw Tile|&#61;|4:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|4:0}}||Used in the [[ceramic]] [[industry]], otherwise fairly useless
|-
| [[Kimberlite]]||stone|| Low-value stone; only source of [[Faint yellow diamond|diamond]]s||{{Raw Tile|%|1:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|1:0}}||No, but rarely contains diamonds - which are a big '''yes'''.
|-
| [[Lignite]]||stone||Smelt into [[Fuel]], flammable||{{Raw Tile|*|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||Not exactly, but if you dont find any you would better have a lot of trees.
|-
| [[Limestone]]||layer stone||[[Flux]], mid-value stone||{{Raw Tile|¦|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||A bit, can be used to make steel
|-
| [[Limonite]]||ore, high-value||Smelt into [[Iron]], a mid-value metal; ingredient for [[Steel]]||{{Raw Tile|£|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|6:1}}||Yes
|-
| [[Magnetite]]||ore, high-value||Smelt into [[Iron]], a mid-value metal; ingredient for [[Steel]]; [[magma-safe]]||{{Raw Tile|~|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|0:1}}||Yes
|-
| [[Malachite]]||ore, low-value||Smelt into useful [[Copper]]; ingredient of [[Bronze]]s||{{Raw Tile|£|2:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|*|2:0}}||No
|-
| [[Marble]]||layer stone||[[Flux]], mid-value stone||{{Raw Tile|¦|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||A bit, can be used to make steel
|-
| [[Marcasite]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|%|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Mica]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|v|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Microcline]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|%|3:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|3:1}}||No
|-
| [[Mudstone]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|˜|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Obsidian]]||layer stone||High-value [[magma-safe]] stone;Sharpenable hard rock (used to create stone [[short sword]]s); <br />signifies nearby [[magma]] if not a layer||{{Raw Tile|¦|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||Yes, but be careful mining it.
|-
| [[Olivine]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone; may contain [[Platinum]]||{{Raw Tile|%|2:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|2:0}}||No, but sometimes has Platinum.
|-
| [[Orpiment]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|-|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:1}}||No
|-
| [[Orthoclase]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|%|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:1}}||No
|-
| [[Periclase]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|,|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Petrified wood]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|%|4:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|4:1}}||No
|-
| [[Phyllite]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|-|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:0}}||No
|-
| [[Pitchblende]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|*|5:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|5:0}}||No
|-
| [[Native platinum|Platinum, native]]||ore, high-value||Smelt into [[Platinum]], a highest-value decorative [[metal]]||{{Raw Tile|£|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|7:1}}||Yes
|-
| [[Puddingstone]]||stone|| Low-value stone, but sadly cannot be used to make pudding.||{{Raw Tile|T|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Pyrolusite]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|%|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Quartzite]]||layer stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|-|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Realgar]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|%|4:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|4:1}}||No
|-
| [[Rhyolite]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|,|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Rock salt]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|#|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Rutile]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|`|5:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|5:0}}||No
|-
| [[Saltpeter]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|x|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:1}}||No
|-
| [[Sandstone]]||layer stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|#|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Satinspar]]||stone||Low-value stone; used for making [[plaster]]||{{Raw Tile|-|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No, but important for setting up a hospital
|-
| [[Schist]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|`|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Selenite]]||stone||Low-value stone; used for making [[plaster]]||{{Raw Tile|;|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No, but important for setting up a hospital
|-
| [[Serpentine]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|˜|2:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|2:0}}||No
|-
| [[Shale]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|.|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Siltstone]]||layer stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|%|6:7:0}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:0}}||No
|-
| [[Native silver|Silver, native]]||ore||Smelt into [[Silver]], a mid-value metal||{{Raw Tile|£|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|7:1}}||Yes
|-
| [[Slade]]||stone, special||Not workable by dwarves, not to be confused with Slate||{{Raw Tile|¦|0:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|0:1}}||Useless, but is ''very'' hard to reach and cannot be mined normally anyway.
|-
| [[Slate]]||layer stone||Low-value stone, not to be confused with Slade||{{Raw Tile|%|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Sphalerite]]||ore, uncommon||Smelt into [[Zinc]], a low-value metal; ingredient for [[Brass]]||{{Raw Tile|£|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|0:1}}||No
|-
| [[Stibnite]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|%|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Sylvite]]||stone||Low-value stone||{{Raw Tile|&#61;|6:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|6:1}}||No
|-
| [[Talc]]||stone||Low-value [[magma-safe]] stone||{{Raw Tile|&#124;|7:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|•|7:1}}||No
|-
| [[Tetrahedrite]]||ore, low-value||Smelt into useful [[Copper]]; ingredient of [[Bronze]]s;<br /> has a 20% additional chance<sup>2</sup> of [[Silver]]; smelt into [[Billon]]||{{Raw Tile|£|0:7:1}} {{Raw Tile|*|0:1}}||No
|}

:''(* Each stone is one of 16 [[color scheme|colors]] in the game.  Different un-mined stone of the same color have a different symbol to distinguish between them.  Once mined, the individual stones themselves can sometimes look identical if the color is the same. Use {{k|k}} to loo{{k|k}} at items or the terrain for specific information.)''

'''Notes:'''
# '''Adamantine''' is not exactly like other metals, although it works almost the same.  It has a value multiplier of x300 (yes, three ''hundred''). See [[adamantine]] for a full discussion of this unusual and wondrous material.
# '''% chance''' for additional metals: when [[Galena]] and [[Tetrahedrite]] are smelted, they produce (respectively) four lead or copper bars, 100% of the time. They also produce 0-4 ''additional'' bars of the second metal, with the percent chance to produce each additional bar listed above.
# '''Ice''' has some ''very'' unusual properties in Dwarf Fortress, and can be disastrous if misused.  See article on [[ice]] for a more complete discussion.

===The Value of Rocks & Metals===
You won't find the terms "low-value" or "highest-value" used in the game, but they're handy here for rough comparison.  "[[Value]]s" are all relative to each other, on a common scale.  The "material value" number multiplies any final product that is created with that material by that number.  An average generic statue (base value 25) is worth much more than an average generic throne (base value 10), but a throne carved from raw [[native gold|gold nuggets]] (10 x 30 = 300) will be worth far more than a common-stone statue (25 x 1 = 25). ''(Note - "[[quality]]" also factors in to total value of a final product, as do some other considerations, but those are outside the scope of this intro article).''  Bottom line - when in doubt, go for the more valuable stuff. 

Common '''stones''' ''(the vast majority)'' have a value multiplier of x1, mid-value ''(all [[flux]] stones like marble)'' are x2, and high-value ''([[obsidian]] only)'' is x3.  This affects things like stone tables and doors, statues or stonecrafts - anything made from stone.  Metal [[ore]]s have varying values, from 2-40, and can either be treated as stone or smelted into bars of metal.

For '''metals''', low-value ''(like copper or nickel)'' is x2.  Mid-value ''(silver or iron)'' is around x10, high-value ''(gold, steel)'' is x30, and highest-value ''(platinum, aluminum)'' is x40.

Note that the raw mined ore and the smelted pure metal often have different value multipliers, but not always.  [[Alloy]]s like brass or bronze are often more valuable than the sum of their pure metal ingredients, and have a true spectrum of values between 3-23. ''(Alloy values are not listed in this article.)''  

Any metal can be crafted into decorations, furniture, or buildings. Only copper, bronzes, iron, steel, and adamantine can make weapons, armor, and picks, with silver also able to be forged into melee weapons.

''(For comparison, all [[wood]] has a value of x1, equal to common stone.)''

<!-- rock finding information not copied from the 40d page, as I am not certain of its accuracy -->

See also:
:* [[Exploratory mining]]

{{Category|Guides}}{{Category|Stone|*}}