Description: Acanthite, probably Valenciana Mine, Guanajuato...this was obtained by Poinsett in 1825...in his journal he mentions that there were no decent minerals in Mexico City, so he had to go to the mines in Guanajuato to get some. He clearly succeeded. Poinsett later gave his entire collection to the American Philosophical Society which was rolled into the Phil. Acad Science...who sold most of their mineral collection 2 years ago amidst warranted furor. The majority of the APS collection now resides at the Smithsonian.

All pictures, text, design © Forum FMF 2006-2025