In the fourth in his series on the work of the Royal Institution of Cornwall and the Royal Cornwall Museum, Simon Parker revisits the world-renowned mineral collection and

meets the woman who takes care of it

HAD it not been for a particularly inspiring secondary school teacher, Sara Chambers might have had trouble choosing a career.

As it was, she finds herself in the plum position of overseeing the Royal Cornwall Museum's large and impressive collection of minerals.

"I grew up in Leicester and had a few ideas about what I might do, but nothing definite," she said. "I liked collecting pebbles and shells as a tiddler and then I was extremely lucky to be taught by a fabulously inspirational geology teacher at O-level. He was called Mr Perks and he took us on field trips, where we could get dirty and find stuff. Thanks to him, I took the subject on to A-level and then did my degree in it."

It is clear, as she talks excitedly about a piece of gleaming galena or natural copper, that more than a little of Mr Perks' enthusiasm has subbed off on Sara.

Both a geologist and gemologist, Sara first worked at the National Museum of Wales before being tempted to Truro by the reputation of the museum's 15,000 mineral specimens.

"A major attraction of coming to this museum was the history associated with the collection and its sheer quality," she said. "It's a very old collection and there is such a lot of history and documentation with it and that all adds to its value."

However, her role as the RCM's collections manager doesn't simply involve poring over exquisite examples of botallackite, chalcopyrite or linorite.

"When I first arrived, the collection was relatively poorly documented and it is important as a modern museum to keep a precise documentary record of everything we have," she said. "Although we knew what we should have, we needed to marry up the records with the actual specimens. So initially I spent a great deal of time documenting everything and completely reorganising the storage.

"A lot of the work has gone on behind the scenes so far and what I'd like to do now is to get my hands on the front of house stuff."

Sara, who is always ready to share her knowledge about specific specimens or the places they were found, explained that the collection is enjoyed by a range of visitors.

"One of the things I love about it is that the gallery has a wide appeal. It is an internationally important mineral collection and consequently has real significance for specialist mineralogists and specialists in the history of science. We get visitors from all over the world, many of whom have made a special trip to see it.

"But it is also very popular with local people because it is very much a locally-based collection, drawing on the mining history – and almost everyone who is local has some connection with the mining scene, either directly through family members or simply because of where they happen to live.

"The third group are the youngsters and particularly the really little ones who just love sparkly things and the idea that these pieces of treasure have come from underground.

"So the collection is incredibly important, very popular and really works on many levels."

The Royal Institution of Cornwall began putting together a piecemeal mineral collection almost from its inception in the early 1800s. But it was the acquisition of several specialist collections that gave the RCM's display its international status. Only a proportion of the 15,000 minerals, rocks and fossils are permanently on show, the rest being carefully stored in secure vaults behind triple-locked doors.

"Another thing that is fabulous about this collection is that all the historical roots are in tact," added Sara.

Among those providing specimens were James Wickett, Richard Barstow, the Williamses of Caerhays, William Borlase of Pendeen, William Pryce of Redruth, and John Hawkins of Trewithen.

Perhaps the best known – and the man who gave his name to the gallery in which the RCM's collection is displayed – was Philip Rashleigh. From his home at Menabilly, the wealthy MP for Fowey indulged his passion, as a gentleman collector, for the natural world and science. Although he died in 1911, it wasn't until 1903 that the RCM was able to buy his collection.

"The Rashleigh collection contains many absolute stunners," said Sara. "And there is an extraordinary level of documentation. For a man of his time he was absolutely meticulous and all his specimens are numbered and described. Geologists today are very lucky that Rashleigh was in the right place at the right time and that he had plenty of money. We have records of who he bought from, where the specimens were found and the correspondence he had with dealers and other collectors. We have his tags, we have his labels, we have his catalogues, information on exchanges of specimens and auctions. It is extremely rare to have such a complete and thoroughly documented collection of such quality."

This is, of course, all very important to the museum, to academics and to geologists. But to casual visitors the things that matter are the beauty of an azurite crystal or the very fact that it was hauled from a long-abandoned hole where they walk their dog or pass every day in the car.

"We are very aware of the draw that these minerals have to people in Cornwall and to visitors from elsewhere and we want to make sure we give everyone what they want.

"It is a lovely collection to work with. Museum work allows you to keep one foot in the camp of academia and the other helping to enthuse others about your own interest."

There's no doubt that she is doing just that. Sara Chambers is passionate about her work and eager to share it with the public. And she seems to have learned more than mere geology from her former teacher. So, Mr Perks, if you're out there, Sara would love to hear from you.

The Royal Cornwall Museum is in River Street, Truro. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.45pm. Admission is free. For more details call 01872 272205 or visit: www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk