[Rockhounds] Collection Dispositon

[Margolis, Richard J.]

Hi,
  I use high quality printing paper for the numbering system and glue the label to the specimen with water soluble white glue which has some flexibility even when dry. I coat the label with clear nail polish and give it several coats including the immediate surrounding area. The numbers are referenced in two separate sources, a handwritten ledger and a computer file and back=up disc.

Richard Margolis

-----Original Message-----
From: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com [mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com] On Behalf Of Earl R. Verbeek
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 8:29 AM
To: 'Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors'
Subject: RE: [Rockhounds] Collection Dispositon

Hi Axel (and list),

Correction fluid is a handy substance to use for labeling specimens, but it may not have the archival value one would hope for.  In time the painted label will dry out, crack, and flake off.  I don't know what "in time" means in years, and I don't know if some correction fluids are more stable than others, but I've been warned off using them.

Labels without any protective covering are also susceptible to percussion and abrasion, which may render part of the label illegible.  For those reasons I currently favor printing the numbers on acid-free archival paper and gluing the labels to the specimens with an archival-grade transparent glue.  The glue is flexible, so will not crack with diurnal temperature and humidity variations, and since it's labeled "archival" I assume it is meant to be permanent on the scale of several human lifetimes at least.  A layer of glue both over and under the label protects it from damage, and if you use a water-soluble glue the label can be repositioned if desired.  Washing the specimen is no problem if you simply place your finger on the label when immersing it -- brief exposure to water doesn't remove the glue.

            Cheers!    Earl


--
_______________________________________________
Rockhounds at drizzle Mailing List
Subscription Services:
http://lists.drizzle.com/mailman/listinfo/rockhounds
List Usage Policy:
http://rockhounds.ning.com/page/list-rules