A fundamental principle of record-keeping—whether digital or physical—is that any critical collection of data needs a copy that does not exist in only one single place. If your records exist only in a single physical notebook or on a single mobile device, they are vulnerable to loss, damage, or hardware failure. Establishing a habit of redundant storage ensures that your information remains accessible even if your primary recording method is compromised.
The high stakes of mineral records
For mineral collectors, data portability is especially vital because of the nature of the information being tracked. Years of accumulated locality data and purchase provenance—the specific history of where a stone was found and how it was acquired—are notoriously difficult, if not impossible, to reconstruct from memory once lost.
Beyond personal interest, maintaining complete and portable records serves as useful reference material if you ever need to consult a professional for insurance documentation or in the event of a future resale. A recording tool provides the framework for this data, but it does not provide valuation or appraisal advice; it simply secures the facts that such a professional assessment would rely on.
Portable formats: CSV vs. ZIP
When moving or backing up your data, different formats serve different needs. Specimen Log provides two distinct ways to export your collection records:
- CSV Export: A text-based, spreadsheet-friendly file containing your specimen data. It is well suited to reviewing your collection on a computer or performing custom sorting and analysis in a spreadsheet program, though it does not include your specimen photos.
- ZIP Backup: A complete snapshot of your collection. It includes the same data found in the CSV, but also packages every photo you have registered for your specimens, making it the format to reach for when you want a full restore or to move your entire visual gallery to another device.
Import and restoration mechanics
The ability to import data is just as important as the ability to export it. There are two specific limitations worth keeping in mind:
- Proprietary format only: Only files previously exported from Specimen Log itself can be imported. The app is not designed to read files from other applications or generic spreadsheets.
- No duplicate detection: The import process does not merge or detect duplicates. If you import the same backup file more than once, the app will add a second set of entries for every specimen in that file rather than skipping repeats. It is worth being careful to import a given backup only once, to avoid manual cleanup afterward.
Free for every user
Both CSV and ZIP export and import are available to all users, free of charge—they are not restricted to the Pro tier. Whether you are managing a handful of specimens or a growing collection, you have full, unrestricted control over your own data.
Download Specimen Log on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/specimen-log/id6763961463
Protect your collection’s history with Specimen Log
Specimen Log is designed to make recording — and backing up — your hobby simple and portable.
- Free Version: Manage up to 10 specimens and 10 wishlist items, with full access to CSV/ZIP export and import.
- Pro Version (One-time purchase): Unlock unlimited records, advanced shelf and case management, and detailed collection analysis tools.
Summary
The goal of any record-keeping method—a carefully maintained paper ledger or a digital app—is to preserve the story of your collection for the future. By following the principle of redundancy and using portable formats like CSV and ZIP, you ensure that your locality data and purchase histories are never tied to a single point of failure.
For the photo records a full ZIP backup preserves, see our guide: More Than One Angle: Why a Single Photo Doesn’t Capture a Specimen
For a broader look at how these records fit into a full recording system, see our hub article: Notebook, Spreadsheet, or App? Keeping Your Mineral Collection From Slipping Away
This article’s sources: Reconstructed by the editorial team from official sites, public information, and specialist media, from a recording and organizing perspective. Numeric, spec, and safety-related statements prioritize primary sources.
For legal restrictions on collecting or storing specimens (such as protected sites, permits, or import/export rules), please check with local authorities or relevant institutions.
This article organizes information from a recording and organizing perspective. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us. Last verified: August 2026
