Frequently asked questions
What the record is, what a pre-assessment does, and what a conclusion does and does not mean.
- What is the record?
- The record is the examination record drawn up and published after a prayer bead set is examined. It sets out material, structure, treatment, period band, maker attribution and condition, each with its evidence and its ceiling.
- Is the record a certificate?
- No. The record is an expert opinion; it is not an authenticity certificate, a warranty, an insurance document or proof of ownership. The detailed framework is on the terms of use page.
- What is a pre-assessment?
- A remote pre-assessment is a quick preliminary opinion obtained from photographs and declarations, without sending the object. It is not a record; its conclusion cannot exceed the consistent findings level of evidence strength or the in the style of step of attribution.
- How long does an examination take?
- The duration depends on the scope, the queue and, where needed, the schedule of the external laboratory. Once your request is opened you can follow each step in the customer portal.
- What does a conclusion mean, and what does it not?
- A conclusion is the level reached by the findings obtained with the methods applied on that date. Tests not performed are listed in the scope section and expressed as uncertainty. A conclusion does not mean the object may lawfully be sold, that it is not stolen, or that it has a particular price.
- What if no conclusion can be reached?
- Inconclusive is a valid result and is shown plainly in the record. Where the methods were properly applied it is not in itself a defect in the service; further examination is proposed where appropriate.
- What happens if ivory, tortoiseshell or coral is found?
- The material finding and the legal status are shown in separate blocks. A finding is not a permit; if a risk is triggered, commercial and transfer operations are suspended and an object whose legal status is unclear is not taken into the sales, consignment, auction or export flow.
- Where are the fees stated?
- Fees are not hard-coded into the page; they come from the scope definition you choose and are shown in their current form on the record service page. This keeps scope and price from ever drifting apart.
- Is my object safe while it is with you?
- Intake and release are recorded in a formal record; every stage the object passes through is written into the chain of custody and the insurance cover is set at intake. Irreversible operations such as unstringing beads are carried out only with your separate, explicit consent.
- What happens to my data?
- Your identity and contact details are stored encrypted, do not appear in the published record and are not shared for marketing. Which data is processed and why is set out in the privacy notice, with a short summary on the privacy page.
- Can I object to a conclusion?
- You may request an internal re-examination within 30 days of the record date. This period does not shorten your statutory rights to apply or to sue.
- How do I verify a record?
- Scan the QR code on the document, or enter the object number or the content digest on the verification page. The page shows the current version and the status of the record; if the document text and the page disagree, the page prevails.