[Rockhounds] labeling

[Paul van den Bergen]

I've seen this missive a few times - pretty much spot on.  My modern take
on it is that the label being separated from the specimen is the equivalent
of the database being separated from the specimen.  I tend to take photos
rather than stick labels to the specimen, for the same effect.  It also
means I get to show off the specimens to a global audience - more or less.

On Mon, 22 Mar 2021 at 12:11, Johan Maertens <mr.calcite at verizon.net> wrote:

> This is my summary about labeling:
>
> Labeling principles
> Rock Currier: For specimens the most important is what I call a life saver
> label, a small label that you glue right onto the specimen.
>
> The reason that these life saver labels are so important, is that
> historically it has been shown that labels have a habit of getting
> separated from their specimens. When this happened the specimen is in
> jeopardy. The identity of the mineral can always be determined by analysis,
> but if the label is lost the locality information is often gone forever.
>
> The importance of having a catalog number on the specimen cannot be
> stressed enough. If a specimen becomes detached from its number, it has
> lost most of its scientific significance.
>
> You need to make sure your catalog will survive. If you have it on a
> computer, give others get access to the files.
> It might pay to keep a copy of the catalog on a thumb drive and have the
> software version, a pdf file (I believe access will allow printing one),
> and a csv file in asci if all else fails.
>
> Collectors love making catalogues, but I agree with Rock Currier that all
> important info must be attached to each specimen individually. I've seen
> many collections get dispersed over the years, but I have never seen a case
> where all the buyers of those specimens had access to the original
> catalogue or its information, so the catalogue ended up being pretty
> useless for the majority of people who acquired the specimens.
>
> I would even go so far as to say that catalogues are only useful if your
> collection goes in its entirety to a museum and the museum agrees to keep
> it together and curate it, but that sort of thing happens very rarely
> nowadays. So my conclusion is, don't even bother making a catalogue - Waste
> of time and paper. Perhaps an online catalogue, like Mindat offers, would
> be more useful to posterity...
>
> Label Content
> The only *critical* information to save with a specimen is the locality
> (+ID-number)
> It is easy to identify/analyze the ID of the mineral. It is nearly
> impossible to identify its origin.
>
> Label paper
> •       pale tan or ivory-colored paper
> •       have a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (pH 6.0-8.0);
> •       have a lignin content of less than 0.3%
> •       be of long-fibered cotton stock, although alpha-cellulose,
> ground-wood papers are also acceptable
> Note: Do not use alkaline-buffered (“buffered”) paper, which has a pH of
> 8.5 or higher, for labels in direct contact with specimens.
> Letter sized, fit for laser printer
> I sue Neenah Paper Astroparche Cardstock, 250/PK
>
> Adhesive/Coating
> Acryloid (Paraloid) B-72, clear Lacquer, SKU TPD017001
> Paraloid B- 72 Glue, SKU B1500-001
>
>
> On specimens I apply Gaffer Power Tape white, 1 inch wide and mark the
> catalog code
>
> Label application:
> Apply a barrier resin (B-72 in acetone) to the object prior to applying
> the label.
>
> “Mark objects in an accessible locations that is not visible to the public
> when on display. Choose stable surfaces unlikely to be destroyed by
> abrasion. Avoid marking places where an object sits (e.g. its base), where
> it will be touched when routinely handled, and where the surface is flaking
> or damaged.”
>
> I created a catalog using MS Excel = spreadsheet format and export its
> data to MS Word (home word processor and publishing tool) to create custom
> format labels, printed on the archival paper using a laser printer.
> I print specimen box labels, collection labels and QR codes:
> I use a MS Word QR code feature to print one by one inch QR codes as
> labels I adhere to specimens (preferred) or their box.
> I can pack about 120 characters in the QR code. Most smart phones can read
> the information quickly.
> All the label information comes from the MS Excel catalog or is manually
> typed in MS Word.
>
> Johan Maertens
> mr.calcite at live.com
>
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-- 
Dr Paul van den Bergen