Evidence Policy

Evidence status belongs to the claim, not to an institution's reputation.

Evidence states

• Confirmed
• Best current explanation
• Hypothesis
• Time-sensitive
• Source-attributed claim
• Disputed / unconfirmed

Hierarchy depends on the question

Primary science, gemological research, standards, regulatory documents, archives, technical literature, and market sources have different roles. A hierarchy is not automatic proof; source scope determines what the source can support.

Special contexts

A laboratory report is not automatically a valuation, proof of ownership, or a price guarantee. Market claims must distinguish retail, wholesale, auction realization, appraisal, buyback, resale, and replacement value. History, tradition, and legend must not be merged.