Registration
Research, due diligence and certification
Purpose of the verification
A Geo Veritas verification allows you to determine whether a mineral is:
- reported as stolen or missing
- subject to claims or disputes
- associated with dubious provenance
- listed in risk databases
This service is an essential step in the due diligence process for anyone purchasing, selling, exhibiting or transferring minerals.
If no alerts emerge, Geo Veritas issues a Verification Report or, when possible, a Verification Certificate.
Why request a verification
For buyers
It reduces the risk of acquiring stolen or irregular specimens and can reveal useful information about the mineral’s history.
For sellers and collectors
It demonstrates transparency and good faith, and strengthens provenance documentation.
How the procedure works
01. Submit the online verification form.
02. Provide the essential data:
- clear photograph
- known provenance
- dimensions and locality
- owner/holder information
03. Pay the verification fee.
04. Geo Veritas conducts cross-checks through:
- internal databases
- external institutional archives
- specialist sources
04. Receive the outcome:
- Verification Report
- non-match certification when applicable.
Minimum requirements
To initiate the verification, we require:
- identifying data of the mineral
- information about the current holder
- documented or recent provenance (minimum requirement)
- at least one clear photograph
For historically or scientifically relevant minerals, additional documentation may be requeste
Timeframes and fees
Standard timeframe
7–10 business days.
Complex cases may require additional time.
Individual fees
- € 90 per mineral
- € 60 per mineral (up to 5 pieces)
- € 40 per mineral beyond the fifth
(VAT excluded)
Annual subscriptions
Services designed for professionals, dealers, institutions and collectors who require recurring verification throughout the year.
We are defining a structured access model designed to meet the needs of the various professional profiles that use Geo Veritas.
Preferential conditions will be available for public institutions, museums, scientific bodies, and for operators requiring verification packages or ongoing services.
The membership system and related plans will be published shortly, once the technical development of the reserved-access area is finalized.
In the meantime, we are available to evaluate specific requests on a case-by-case basis.
Urgent verification
For immediate checks on stolen, missing or high-risk minerals.
Procedure
Email urgent@geo-veritas.org
with:
- mineral photograph
- known provenance
- contact details
- reason for the request
Urgent fees (VAT excluded)
- Standard Verification: € 90
- Urgent Verification: € 250
- Upgrade Standard → Urgent: € 160
Timeframe
If documentation is complete, response within 1–2 business days.
Professional Verification for Catalogues, Lots and Exhibitions
A dedicated service for auction houses, fairs and operators who need to assess large volumes of material quickly and reliably. Each verification includes background checks, known alerts and provenance-risk assessment.
Per-lot fees
(VAT excluded)
Europe: € 12
DACH region: € 14
United Kingdom: £ 10
United States: $ 14
Annual fee
Starting from € 1,500 (VAT excluded)
What’s included
- priority processing
- direct point of contact
- support during cataloguing, preview days and events
- for complex or high-risk material, a tailored quote is provided
Sources and verification methods
Geo Veritas consults:
- international stolen-property databases
- historical and academic archives
- public and market catalogues
- specialist sources on trafficking and dispersal
Advanced research may be conducted for significant samples.
Requirements for historical minerals
For ancient minerals or specimens from historic collections, documented provenance prior to the year 2000 is required as a minimum condition.
Verifications without complete provenance
Yes, they are possible.
The process may take longer and a certificate may not be issuable without additional information.
Verification Certificate - conditions
Issued only when:
- documentation is complete
- the mineral has no matches
- traceability is consistent
A certificate cannot be issued if essential data are missing or provenance is insufficient.
Verifications without complete provenance
Preliminary checks (for auctions/fairs)
- process large volumes
- do NOT issue individual certificates
- reduce the general risk of the event
Verification Certificate
- requires deeper investigation
- involves external sources
- demands complete documentation
- results in a single official document
Handling matched cases
If a mineral is identified as reported:
- the holder must suspend sale and movement
- Geo Veritas initiates contact with the parties involved
- collaboration with authorities and owners follows
- we facilitate correct restitution or resolution
Contacts
- Request a verification
- Request assistance
- Contact us
Geo Veritas operates according to principles of rigor, traceability, and transparency.
Our goal is to protect the market and ensure that every mineral – historical or contemporary – is accompanied by clear and verifiable provenance.
For more information or assistance with preparing your submission, please contact the Geo Veritas team directly.
