Heart Twinned calcites from Egremont are one of the most desirable of ancient classics, and date from the mid 1800s (perhaps as early as 1840). Specimens today turn up only out of very old collections and museum stashes, and are highly sought after. This particular piece was said to come out of Harvard's Museum when sold to collector George Elling in the 1990s at a show, though any prior history is now lost. The piece is extraordinarily bright, lustrous, and clear in color. Some twins have detracting spots of brown or red which detract. The crystal is complete all around, 360 degrees, and terminated fully on top. The only detractions, which I do need to clarify are very minimal from a display point of view but did lower the value of the piece from $7500-9000 to $4000-5000, are a few very slight rubs and one contact on the right side where this twin grew against another crystal that has left a slight impression. Nevertheless, this is a superb display piece, and otherwise is of top quality in all other factors. It is fat and robust. This crystal is very gemmy and transparent, almost fully transparent in fact - rare in a twin of this size which usually is occluded and murky inside. Joe Budd Photos