[Rockhounds] Numbering Specimens (WAS: Paint)

[DonH]

Alan Silverstein wrote:


> In the computer science field, the prefix establishes uniqueness in a
> larger context, which is referred to as a "namespace". 


Oh please don't remind me, I retired from that career.  But anyway, 
there was no intention of uniqueness, though it certainly does narrow 
down the possibilities.  Some people are averse to simply using plain 
numbers, and I don't blame them.  Also, when you loan out your 
specimens, it makes them easier to pick out from among others.

It is important to remember to keep the label as small as possible, in 
order not to be intrusive.  I wholeheartedly support the idea of using 
Excel (which I use myself already) to fill cells sequentially with the 
numbers you want.  I print in 4-point type and cut them out using a 
ruler and razor knife.  Don't forget that it helps to print on acid-free 
cotton paper and attach using neutral-pH archival glue.  Over time, I 
have seen all sorts of white-out and paints crack, yellow, and flake 
off.  Nothing is forever, but a paper label attached with a water-based 
glue is easily replaceable or removable.  Another thing I really dislike 
is trying to remove a gaudy, crumbly, old splotch of paint with a 
smeared and faded number.

Of course, specimens that are very small, friable, or water-soluble 
require special labeling on a case-by-case basis.

The down-side of labeling a collection by Dana, Strunz, or structural 
class is that these things change over time as minerals are renamed and 
reclassified.

Oh, one more thing:

 > John: I use a sequential numerical system, and one of the advantages I
 > find is that when a specimen is removed from the database, it is easy 
 > to delete the record fields, and leave the number intact for "refill"
 > later.

Why not just have a check box for "deaccessioned" with a comment field 
that indicates sold, lost, traded, donated, or stolen?  Strictly 
speaking, a number shouldn't be re-used.  The nice thing about computer 
programs is that, when you print your catalog, you can choose to ignore 
missing specimens by a command such as " . . . where DEACCESSIONED not 
equal YES".  That depends of course on the language or script you are 
using.  I prefer to print it all out, so that no pages or numbers are 
missing from the printed catalog.

These ideas are drawn from the input of curators, librarians, and 
archivists of my acquaintance and to whom I have written.  Of course, 
such serious cataloguing is not for everyone, but the knowledge is there 
for those who aspire to maintain their specimens not only for themselves 
but for future collectors.

If I think of more tips I will pass them on.


best to all,
Don