Abstract: Security token (20) comprising: a substrate (21) and; an authentication element mounted to the substrate and formed from a solid material containing one or more minerals. Furthermore, a security token authenticator and method comprising: an optical detector arranged to generate a signal in response to an interaction of light with an authentication element within a security token, the authentication element formed from a solid material containing one or more minerals; and a processor configured to: compare the generated signal with a previously obtained signal from the authentication element; and provide an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: Security token (20) comprising: a substrate (21) and; an authentication element mounted to the substrate and formed from a solid material containing one or more minerals. Furthermore, a security token authenticator and method comprising: an optical detector arranged to generate a signal in response to an interaction of light with an authentication element within a security token, the authentication element formed from a solid material containing one or more minerals; and a processor configured to: compare the generated signal with a previously obtained signal from the authentication element; and provide an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A portable token and systems and methods for identification and authentication of the same are disclosed. The portable token may be utilized for a variety of purposes and uses a thin section of rock as a unique identifying element, which is extremely resistant to forgery or duplication. Identification and authorization of tokens is achieved by a system that uses optical examination of the microstructure and the refractive properties of crystalline minerals within the identifying element, by transmitted polarized light techniques. Comparison between stored reference data and acquired examination data is the basis for verifying authenticity. The naturally-occurring three-dimensional orientations of the optical axes of mineral crystals contribute to the identification information by their effects.