1. A label for authenticating an object in situ to which the label is associated, comprising: a label substrate; a first dataset configured as a random distribution of at least three, three-dimensional, colored elements on the label substrate, the three-dimensional, colored elements having outer portions that are raised and elevated above the label substrate; a second dataset configured as data elements on the label substrate; the three-dimensional, raised, colored elements being light-reflective to enable a portable, handheld, image capture device aimed at the label to capture return light from the three-dimensional, raised, colored elements to verify that the three-dimensional, raised, colored elements are three-dimensional, and to process the captured return light to generate a colored image pattern of the three-dimensional, raised, colored elements for comparison with a colored authentication pattern signature; and the data elements being machine-readable to assist in the comparison of the colored authentication pattern signature.