Trial Shaft, Perran Sands, Perranzabuloe, Cornwall.
An exceptionally rare locality specimen displaying numerous garnet crystals, up to 3.5 mm in diameter, covering much of the matrix.
The specimen was collected in 1875 by Sir Warington Wilkinson Smyth from an old trial-shaft dump near the old granite cross, close to the ruins of St Piran’s Church. The specimen retains an important early provenance, with Smyth’s handwritten label being the smallest of the four labels illustrated in the final photograph.
I have included a note gleaned from the internet on Sir Warington Wilkinson Smyth at the end of the description.
From the collection of Richard Hoston, and previously associated with the collections of the British Museum and Sir Arthur Russell.
Size: 8 × 4.5 × 3 cm.
Sir Warington Wilkinson Smyth
Sir Warington Wilkinson Smyth (1819–1890) was a distinguished British geologist, mineralogist and mining engineer, and a leading authority on mineralogy and mining during the Victorian period.
He held the position of Professor of Mining and Metallurgy at the Royal School of Mines in London and served as Mineral Surveyor to the Duchy of Cornwall. His extensive technical knowledge and practical experience took him to mining districts throughout Britain and overseas, where he made detailed observations of geology, mineralogy and mining practices.
Smyth was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and served as President of the Geological Society of London, reflecting the high standing he attained within the scientific community of his time.
He also maintained a deep and lifelong connection with Cornwall, where he had a residence at Marazion. He spent many years exploring the county’s mines and mineral localities, visiting its workings and recording observations of the geology and mining industry. His work contributed significantly to the contemporary understanding of Cornish geology and mineral resources.
Smyth’s connection with Cornwall continued throughout his life, and following his death in 1890 he was buried at St Erth, Cornwall.
