The choice of how to number specimens is a tough one. I think every
collector have his/her own preference. I number my families, and the
container the shells are stored in. For example: Conidae is number 5, the
container no is 1290, and the container has more than one space. I put a
shell in the second space and as the cone is a gastropod, my number will
then be G.5.1290.2

The data is stored in Concholi (that can generate my number or other numbers
too) and the label is put with the shell in a little plastic bag in the
container.  It goes straightly to my gastropod drawer, family 5 and in the
container sequence.

I store my Microshells in clear gelatin capsules with a small piece of paper
with the reference number in small plastic bags (with label) in a bigger
container. I buy the clear gelatin capsules from my drug store. Some people
use drinking straws cut in about 1 inch pieces, stoppered at the ends with
something appropriate.

Kobie