This disclosure describes a novel method for predicting or estimating rock mechanical properties from cuttings at a particular depth based on determining the facies, plotting the facies on a ternary diagram with clay, silica and carbonate endpoints, and estimating rock mechanical properties based on comparison to a database of core samples from vertical wells that is also organized by depth and facies. We have shown that datapoints at similar locations on the ternary diagram will have fairly similar rock properties. These rock properties can be used to improve the reliability of a variety of reservoir modeling platforms, which can then be used in designing and implementing completion, stimulation and production plans.