Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
The essentials
- In a mineral collection or a fossil collection, the species and the locality of provenance give the specimen its interest.
- Any treatment (stabilisation, restoration, dyeing) must be noted: it changes the nature and value of the piece.
- Old labels, certificate and invoices are stored with the entry for each specimen.
Fossils, minerals and meteorites: what to keep track of
A natural history collection is worth as much for its information as for its specimens. A crystal with no locality, a fossil of unknown origin, a meteorite with no classification or certificate: these are fine objects, but their scientific interest and their value collapse when the information disappears. And it disappears quickly, with a lost label or a mixed-up drawer.
Keeping an inventory of your fossils and minerals means assigning a number to each specimen and noting what cannot be seen: species, locality of provenance, geological age, any treatment, circumstances of acquisition. It also means keeping track of former owners and successive labels.
What a specimen entry contains
| Field | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Species or name | Identify the specimen and find it by search. |
| Locality of provenance | The most valuable piece of information: it gives the specimen its scientific interest. |
| Geological age | Place a fossil or rock in time. |
| Treatment (none, stabilised, restored, dyed, reconstructed) | State honestly what has been done to the specimen. |
| Classification (meteorites) | Link a fragment to its meteorite and type. |
| Dimensions and weight | Describe the specimen; weight is essential for a meteorite. |
| Provenance and history | Trace former owners and collections. |
| Photos and documents | Specimen, old labels, certificate, invoice. |
Sub-categories separate fossils, minerals, meteorites and amber.
Provenance, certificate, value and insurance
A certificate is worth only as much as whoever signs it: note the issuer, the date and what the document attests. The principles in our guide to the certificate of authenticity apply: an identified issuer, a precise description, a photo. Keep the history of dated valuations rather than a single figure.
The trade, transport and export of certain specimens may be regulated, and the rules vary by country. Before an acquisition abroad, a sale or a shipment, check with the relevant authorities and keep all the documents supplied by the seller with the entry. On the insurance side, check the limit set for collectables in your home insurance policy.
Succession and inheritance
A natural history collection passed on without its entries loses most of its interest. A documented inventory, with your wishes (keep the whole, entrust it to a natural history museum or an association, sell it) and the contact details of the specialists to consult, helps your heirs decide. Institutions that might take in a collection appreciate a precise inventory; see our page for foundations and museums. For how it is treated in an estate, consult your notary (notaire).
Photos from your phone and sharing
Photograph each specimen against a neutral background, with a graduated scale, then the details, the old labels and the certificate. For an opinion or a sale, share a selection through a password-protected, time-limited link. If your catalogue lives in a spreadsheet, our comparison Excel spreadsheet or collection software will help you choose.
With Collectalia
Collectalia keeps one entry per specimen: species, locality of provenance, geological age, treatment, meteorite classification, dimensions and weight, provenance and former owners, photos taken from your phone by scanning a QR code, certificates, invoices and accompanying documents, successive valuations and location (display case, drawer, storeroom). Import your existing Excel file and print labels. Free trial, free read-only access.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.