Terms of Service

Agreement to These Terms

Please read these Terms before purchasing a service or submitting property to Measured Matter.

By completing an order or sending an item to us for testing, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

If you submit an item on behalf of another person, business, estate, organization, or other entity, you represent that you are authorized to do so and to agree to these Terms on that party’s behalf.

If you do not agree to these Terms, do not submit an item or purchase a testing service.

Our Services

Measured Matter provides independent observational and analytical testing services. Depending on the service purchased and the item submitted, testing may include techniques such as:

• Visual examination.
• Microscopic examination.
• Mass and dimensional measurements.
• Density measurements.
• Magnetic-response testing.
• X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis.
• Hardness, scratch, or streak testing.
• Chemical or reagent testing.
• Photography.
• Comparison with known materials or reference data.
• Other appropriate screening or analytical methods.

The specific procedures performed depend on the service ordered, physical characteristics of the submitted item, available equipment, and the tests reasonably useful for answering the analytical question.

Not every available test will necessarily be performed on every item. We may stop testing when the evidence is sufficient to support a defensible finding or when additional testing available through our service would not reasonably improve the conclusion.

Submitted Items

By submitting an item to Measured Matter, you represent that:

• You own the item or have authorization from the owner to submit it for testing.
• Your possession and shipment of the item are lawful.
• Information you provide about the item is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
• You have disclosed any known condition that could create an unusual safety risk during handling or testing.
• The item complies with any size, weight, quantity, or other submission limits stated on the applicable service page.

Unless we specifically agree otherwise in writing, submitting an item does not transfer ownership of that item to Measured Matter.

We may photograph, label, measure, temporarily package, or otherwise document an item as reasonably necessary for intake, identification, testing, quality control, reporting, and return shipping.

Testing Procedures & Possible Alteration

Some analytical techniques can affect the appearance or physical condition of a submitted item.

Depending on the service, testing may involve contact with measuring instruments, magnets, water, cleaning materials, acids or other reagents, scratch tools, hardness tools, or analytical equipment.

By ordering testing, you authorize reasonable testing procedures ordinarily associated with the service you purchased.

We will not intentionally perform substantial destructive testing, such as major cutting, drilling, grinding, or removal of a significant portion of the item, unless such testing was part of the service ordered or we obtain additional authorization from you.

Customers should inform us before testing if an item has an unusually delicate surface, historic coating, fragile structure, important patina, or another characteristic that could make ordinary analytical procedures inappropriate.

Findings, Interpretation & Analytical Limitations

Our conclusions are based on the item submitted, the portions of the item examined, the tests performed, the data obtained, and the scientific evidence reasonably available at the time of examination.

Analytical testing has inherent limitations. Factors that may affect a finding include:

• Natural variation within a material.
• Heterogeneous composition.
• Weathering, oxidation, corrosion, or contamination.
• Surface coatings or treatments.
• Sampling limitations.
• Instrument detection limits.
• Measurement uncertainty.
• Similarity between different natural or manufactured materials.
• Incomplete or inaccurate provenance information.

A result therefore represents our professional analytical interpretation of the evidence obtained from the submitted item. It is not a guarantee that every other laboratory, researcher, organization, buyer, seller, insurer, or authority will reach the same conclusion.

Screening, Classification & Certification

Unless a service page expressly states otherwise, Measured Matter’s testing is an independent analytical or screening service.

A Measured Matter Findings Report is not, by itself:

• A government certification.
• A court determination.
• An insurance appraisal.
• A market-value appraisal.
• A guarantee of authenticity or monetary value.
• An official classification, registration, naming, or acceptance by a scientific society, museum, university, grading organization, auction house, marketplace, or other third-party authority.

Meteorite Testing

Meteorite testing is intended to determine whether the observed and measured evidence supports or does not support a meteorite origin.

A favorable Measured Matter finding does not automatically constitute formal classification, naming, registration, or publication of a meteorite by the Meteoritical Society, the Meteoritical Bulletin, or any other scientific organization.

Some specimens may require additional testing by a specialized mineralogical, petrographic, isotopic, or academic laboratory before a more specific classification can be established.

Metal, Jewelry & Material Testing

Unless specifically purchased as part of a separate service, analytical composition testing does not constitute a monetary appraisal, gemstone grading report, historical authentication, provenance determination, or guarantee of resale value.

Turnaround Times

Any turnaround time stated on our website, in an email, or during the ordering process is an estimate unless we expressly guarantee a particular completion date in writing.

Completion may be delayed by circumstances including:

• Shipping delays.
• Unusual or difficult specimens.
• Need for additional measurements.
• Equipment problems or maintenance.
• High order volume.
• Weather, emergencies, or circumstances outside our control.

We will make reasonable efforts to complete testing promptly and communicate significant delays.

Pricing & Payment

The price displayed during checkout is the price applicable to that order unless an obvious pricing or technical error has occurred.

Payment is generally required before testing begins.

Online payments may be processed by third-party payment providers, including Stripe. We may receive confirmation of payment and limited transaction information necessary to administer the order.

Customers are responsible for any inbound shipping charges, customs charges, taxes, or other costs identified as their responsibility during the ordering process.

Cancellations & Refunds

If you wish to cancel an order before sending your item, contact us as soon as possible.

If testing has not begun, we may cancel the order and issue an appropriate refund, subject to any nonrecoverable expenses already incurred for that order and applicable law.

Once testing has begun, service fees are generally non-refundable because laboratory time, examination, documentation, and analytical work have already been performed.

Shipping charges or other third-party costs that have already been incurred are generally non-refundable.

A customer’s disagreement with a scientifically supported finding does not, by itself, make the service defective or create an automatic right to a refund.

Nothing in this section limits refund or cancellation rights that cannot legally be waived.

Shipping, Packaging & Custody

Shipping Items to Measured Matter

Customers are responsible for securely packaging items sent to us. Packaging should be appropriate for the item’s size, weight, fragility, and value.

We strongly recommend using shipment tracking and appropriate carrier insurance for items whose loss would create a significant financial hardship.

Measured Matter is not responsible for an item before it has been delivered to and received by us.

Return Shipping

After testing is completed, submitted property will normally be returned using the shipping method associated with the order or another reasonably appropriate carrier and service.

Shipping carriers are independent third parties. Carrier delays, routing errors, theft, loss, or damage occurring while an item is in carrier custody may be subject to the carrier’s terms, limitations, and claims procedures.

We are not responsible for carrier delays or carrier failures outside our reasonable control.

Addresses

Customers are responsible for providing an accurate return-shipping address and notifying us promptly if it changes before the item is returned.

Additional shipping costs resulting from an incorrect address, refused delivery, or unsuccessful delivery may be charged to the customer where permitted by law.

Unsafe, Hazardous or Prohibited Items

Do not submit materials that you know or reasonably suspect contain dangerous quantities of hazardous, toxic, infectious, explosive, or radioactive material without contacting us first and receiving written approval.

You may not knowingly submit:

• Explosives or explosive devices.
• Live ammunition.
• Illegal controlled substances.
• Biohazardous or infectious materials.
• Dangerous radioactive sources.
• Items whose shipment or possession is unlawful.
• Materials requiring specialized hazardous-material handling that has not been arranged with us in advance.

We may refuse, isolate, stop testing, or arrange appropriate handling of an item if we reasonably believe it presents an unexpected safety or legal risk.

Additional expenses caused by undisclosed hazardous material may be charged to the submitting customer where legally permitted.

Findings Reports & Intellectual Property

When included with the purchased service, Measured Matter will provide a Findings Report or comparable results documentation.

You may retain, print, and share the report prepared for your item. When presenting the report to another person, the report should be presented in full and should not be altered in a way that changes or misrepresents its findings.

You may not:

• Alter a finding and represent the altered version as ours.
• Remove qualifications or limitations in a misleading manner.
• Use our name or logo to imply endorsement of another item we did not test.
• Apply a report for one submitted specimen to a different specimen and represent that specimen as having been tested by us.

Measured Matter retains ownership of its website content, report templates, branding, graphics, testing documentation formats, explanatory materials, and other original intellectual property.

Ownership of the physical item submitted for testing remains with its lawful owner.

Customer Reviews & Feedback

Customers are free to provide honest reviews or opinions about their experience with Measured Matter.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to prohibit or penalize a customer for making an honest assessment of our products, services, or conduct.

Reviews and feedback must still comply with generally applicable laws, including laws relating to fraud, impersonation, threats, intellectual property, and knowingly false factual statements.

If you voluntarily send us suggestions about our website, reports, testing process, or services, we may use those suggestions to improve our business without an obligation to compensate you.

Website Use

You may use the Measured Matter website for lawful personal or business purposes related to learning about or purchasing our services.

You may not knowingly:

• Attempt to compromise the security of the website.
• Access systems or data without authorization.
• Distribute malicious software through the website.
• Interfere with normal operation of the website.
• Use automated systems in a way that materially burdens our systems.
• Use the website to commit fraud or another unlawful act.

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue website features when reasonably necessary.

Service Disclaimers

We intend to perform analytical services carefully and in good faith using methods reasonably appropriate for the service ordered.

However, science and material identification involve uncertainty, and no analytical method can eliminate every possible source of error or ambiguity.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, we do not warrant:

• That a particular item will produce a conclusive result.
• That the customer’s expected or desired finding will be reached.
• That a third party will agree with or accept our findings.
• That testing will establish the monetary value of an item.
• That a favorable screening result will satisfy the requirements of a scientific organization, marketplace, insurer, court, museum, auction house, or other third party.

Nothing in these Terms excludes warranties or protections that cannot legally be excluded.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Measured Matter will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages arising from the use of our services or reliance on a Findings Report.

Examples may include:

• Lost profits.
• Lost resale opportunities.
• Loss of anticipated appreciation in value.
• Business interruption.
• Consequences of a third party refusing to accept a report.
• Speculative or sentimental value.

A customer should not make a substantial financial, legal, insurance, investment, medical, or safety-critical decision based solely on a Measured Matter screening result when independent confirmation would reasonably be appropriate.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, liability arising solely from an alleged error in analytical testing or interpretation will not exceed the amount paid for the specific testing service giving rise to the claim.

Customer Responsibility & Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to be responsible for reasonable losses, claims, or expenses arising from:

• Your knowingly unlawful submission of an item.
• A false claim by you that you own or are authorized to submit the item.
• Hazardous properties you knew about and failed to disclose.
• Your intentional alteration or fraudulent misuse of a Measured Matter Findings Report.

This provision does not require a consumer to indemnify Measured Matter for losses caused by our own conduct where such an obligation would be prohibited by law.

Third-Party Services

We use independent third parties to provide certain services, potentially including:

• Payment processing.
• Shipping and delivery.
• Website hosting.
• Email delivery.
• Analytics.
• Advertising measurement.
• Specialized analytical services when appropriate.

These providers may operate under their own terms and privacy policies.

Measured Matter is not responsible for acts or omissions of an independent third party that are outside our reasonable control, except where applicable law provides otherwise.

Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information is described in our Privacy Policy.

By using our services, you acknowledge that order information, contact information, testing records, photographs, shipping data, and other information may be processed as reasonably necessary to provide the service.

Read our Privacy Policy for additional information.

Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except to the extent another jurisdiction’s law must apply.

Before filing a lawsuit concerning a service, we encourage you to contact us so that we have a reasonable opportunity to understand and attempt to resolve the issue.

Unless applicable consumer law gives you the right to bring a claim elsewhere, legal proceedings arising from these Terms or our services may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Multnomah County, Oregon.

Nothing in these Terms prevents either party from using a legally available small-claims procedure where appropriate.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms as our services, testing methods, business practices, or legal requirements change.

Updated Terms will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Unless required by law or expressly agreed otherwise, changes to these Terms will not retroactively change the material terms that applied to a testing order already placed.

General Terms

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.

No Waiver

Our failure to enforce a provision of these Terms on one occasion does not permanently waive our right to enforce that provision later.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, the applicable service description, our Privacy Policy, and any specific written terms presented during an order constitute the agreement governing the service.

If a separately signed written agreement expressly conflicts with these Terms, the separately signed agreement controls to the extent of that conflict.

Headings

Section headings are provided for convenience and do not change the meaning of these Terms.

Contact Us

If you have questions about an order, these Terms, or a submitted item, contact Measured Matter.