Curating Your Collection
Best practices for labeling, lighting, and displaying your finds.
Label Everything
A rock without a label is just a rock. A rock with a label is a scientific specimen. Record exactly where you found it (GPS coords are best), when, and what it is. If you forget, that information is lost forever.
Lighting is Everything
Good lighting can make a dull rock look spectacular. LED strip lights are cool and efficient for display cases. Backlighting is essential for translucent slices of agate. Spotlights work well for sparkling crystal clusters.
Mounting
Use mineral tack (like putty) or acrylic stands to position your rocks at the best angle. You want the main crystal face or most colorful pattern facing the viewer. Avoid gluing specimens permanently if possible.
Organization
You can organize by species (all quartzes together), by location (all Arizona finds), or by color. The 'Dana System' is the scientific standard, organizing minerals by their chemical composition.