An older sample is more useful when its storage history is recorded. If it looks different during a later review, the original photograph alone cannot tell you what happened between the two inspections.
Add a simple storage note
Record where the specimen was kept, whether it was exposed to regular handling or display, and any known cleaning or treatment. If the history is unknown, write that directly. Do not fill the gap with an assumption that it remained untouched.
When revisiting the sample, make a new dated observation rather than overwriting the original result. Photograph it under a documented setup and retain both sets of images. Label any differences in lighting or camera position that limit comparison.
Avoid turning one specimen into a durability claim
A stored sample can support a description of that particular object at a particular time. It cannot establish an expected lifetime for every material or a guarantee for customer use.
For an AntBelt G1 sample archive, separate initial engraving observations from later storage observations. If you need a durability claim for a product you plan to sell, identify the relevant intended-use requirements and obtain appropriate evidence. A careful archive helps you formulate that question while preserving what you actually know about the specimen.
Browse related AntBelt project notes in /updates/.
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