PrismCoin: 3d etching BTC address in Crystal

[crazy_rabbit]

I was looking recently at someone do this at a tourist location in Venice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ko5RE2oh00

I instantly thought- how cool that would be to do for Bitcoin. Etch via Laser QR codes of bitcoin addresses and Private keys into the crystal. For example you could perhaps even do multiple layers of bitcoin addresses on on plane, and private keys on another, and using a special planer light source illuminate only one at a time. If your light source was super thin and planer, you could potentially store tens, hundreds or thousands of addresses in the crystal depending on the technical limits of the system.

Could make for an extremely cool "cold storage" system. One could image the sense of power from opening a safe deposite box to find only a crystal cube.

Of course, unless you do this at home- how do you provide a service and securely include the private key?

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[unclemantis]

I was looking recently at someone do this at a tourist location in Venice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ko5RE2oh00

I instantly thought- how cool that would be to do for Bitcoin. Etch via Laser QR codes of bitcoin addresses and Private keys into the crystal. For example you could perhaps even do multiple layers of bitcoin addresses on on plane, and private keys on another, and using a special planer light source illuminate only one at a time. If your light source was super thin and planer, you could potentially store tens, hundreds or thousands of addresses in the crystal depending on the technical limits of the system.

Could make for an extremely cool "cold storage" system. One could image the sense of power from opening a safe deposite box to find only a crystal cube.

Of course, unless you do this at home- how do you provide a service and securely include the private key?

I have been thinking about this same problem for the past year.

Cold storage that is not stored on electronic devices.

Sure paper wallets are cool but you kinda need to have the same info in a lot of different places.

Only problem is if there was a fire, the paper is gone.

I have been thinking of engraving an encrypted private key in titanium or something else that is kinda apocalyptic proof.

So man. I am on the same page as you!

[Ente]

Titanium: Melting point of 1668°C (which is ok), but will erode pretty quickly in harsh environment (saltwater, electrochemical corrosion etc).
If you are serious, go for stainless steel :-)
(And solder it in between two pieces of copper or something)
This would not be a "cold wallet" or similar, but more of a last-resort-backup you don't actually intent to use anytime soon. But maybe your inheritants will be happy to find it in xx years.

Ente

[unclemantis]

Titanium: Melting point of 1668°C (which is ok), but will erode pretty quickly in harsh environment (saltwater, electrochemical corrosion etc).
If you are serious, go for stainless steel :-)
(And solder it in between two pieces of copper or something)
This would not be a "cold wallet" or similar, but more of a last-resort-backup you don't actually intent to use anytime soon. But maybe your inheritants will be happy to find it in xx years.

Ente

I would be interested in a Titanium wallet.

The question is, should we have a private key encrypted or should we have SEVERAL private keys encrypted into a single AES block that we will have engraved?

[DeathAndTaxes]

If you want a lasting material go with tungsten.

Melting point is significantly higher than structure fires, it is non reactive in most environments, and has high toughness.

[Elwar]

I can see some beings or humans in the future unearthing these metal pieces with long strings of numbers and letters trying to figure out what it is.

[Ente]

I would be interested in a Titanium wallet.

The question is, should we have a private key encrypted or should we have SEVERAL private keys encrypted into a single AES block that we will have engraved?

I would, ahem, suggest, y'know, to have an encrypted version on your computer, as a working version. Engrave the private key unencrypted and directly onto your metal. Keep this in a safe place. Vault, buried, some family member's place. This would only be used in case all encrypted "computer" versions vanish in a catastrophic event. More like an insurance than a cold wallet..

If you want a lasting material go with tungsten.
Melting point is significantly higher than structure fires, it is non reactive in most environments, and has high toughness.

Tough? It is? At least Tungsten Carbide (the stuff "tungsten" rings/bands are made of) is brittle. Pure tungsten might indeed be tough, though.
Good luck engraving it. I would guess a diamond tip engraver (preferably) or a laser (no deep engrave) is necessary..

Ente

[notme]

or a laser (no deep engrave)

You obviously need a more powerful laser .

[tiberiandusk]

TIL the 10 Commandments were actually private keys carved into stone tablets.

[Ente]

TIL the 10 Commandments were actually private keys carved into stone tablets.

SHA256("Thou shall not steal")

..has some irony in it.. heh

Ente

[Stardust]

Why not diamond instead of tungsten?

[Ente]

Why not diamond instead of tungsten?

Because of the high refractive index.



Well, in case you are indeed serious:
Sure, go on, and aquire a diamond large enough for that. Then have one flat side on it. I suggest at least as large as a stamp for readability. Go on and engravve or laser your keys on it. And start over again once you transfer the funds somewhere else or the like :-)
But yes, technically there do exist enough bitcoins to make all of this worthwile.. Even more once you try to aquire a significant part of them.

Oh, and: Diamond starts burning over 700°C, is brittle, and will have a low reading contrast.

Ente

[tiberiandusk]

Why not diamond instead of tungsten?

Because of the high refractive index.



Well, in case you are indeed serious:
Sure, go on, and aquire a diamond large enough for that. Then have one flat side on it. I suggest at least as large as a stamp for readability. Go on and engravve or laser your keys on it. And start over again once you transfer the funds somewhere else or the like :-)
But yes, technically there do exist enough bitcoins to make all of this worthwile.. Even more once you try to aquire a significant part of them.

Oh, and: Diamond starts burning over 700°C, is brittle, and will have a low reading contrast.

Ente

There is a Canadian diamond mine that laser etches their diamonds with a polar bear. This makes it easy to tell the difference from a Canadian diamond and a conflict diamond. Add the laser etching to man made diamonds like Gemesis makes and you have a tiny bitcoin wallet. I don't like diamonds since I see them as just shiny rocks but for long term bitcoin storage they would be ideal.

[jim618]

Why not laser/ engrave the private key onto a 10g gold ingot ?

Something like this will cost you around 100BTC:
http://www.bullionbypost.co.uk/gold-bars/10-gram-gold-bar/umicore-10-gram-gold-bar/

It is 31mm by 18mm (1.22 inches x 0.71inches) so enough space on the back for a private key.

Not fireproof but inert and should your parachute not open on your next sky dive your next of kin are unlikely to throw it out in the trash when they go through your stuff.

If 100BTC is too steep, on the same site a 5g ingot is 24mm x 14mm so I expect a private key will still fit. Half the price !

[Stardust]

I was thinking of synthetic diamonds, but if temperature is a problem then tungsten is better.

[ElectricMucus]

Get a cheap 2.5D milling machine and engrave it into a stainless steel plate.

Keep in mind that these kind of things only protect against some personal disaster. If there is an epic solar storm and all computers are fried the blockchain will be gone and the private key useless.

[Blazr]

Keep in mind that these kind of things only protect against some personal disaster. If there is an epic solar storm and all computers are fried the blockchain will be gone and the private key useless.

Which is why I keep a printed copy of the blockchain.

[ElectricMucus]

Keep in mind that these kind of things only protect against some personal disaster. If there is an epic solar storm and all computers are fried the blockchain will be gone and the private key useless.

Which is why I keep a printed copy of the blockchain.

You did print out 3 Gigabytes of data?

[aq]

Keep in mind that these kind of things only protect against some personal disaster. If there is an epic solar storm and all computers are fried the blockchain will be gone and the private key useless.

Which is why I keep a printed copy of the blockchain.

You did print out 3 Gigabytes of data?

3GB? Cool, that would even include the next half year! Maybe one should take a look and see if pirate did pay in the future...

[jim618]

Get a cheap 2.5D milling machine and engrave it into a stainless steel plate.

Keep in mind that these kind of things only protect against some personal disaster. If there is an epic solar storm and all computers are fried the blockchain will be gone and the private key useless.

You could probably do the engraving with a cheap dremel drill (the little handheld ones sold for 'crafts') and a homemade pantograph for size reduction of the text: