Tarnowitzite from Bou Beker, Morocco

Contributed by: Simone Conti
minID: 7PX-JWH
Date: Apr 6th, 2026
Locality: Bou Beker (Bou Bekker; Bou Becker), Touissit-Bou Beker mining district, Jerada Province, Oriental Region, Morocco (See on Mindat)
Size: 4 x 3 x 5 cm
Weight: 73.6 g

Description:
Tarnowitzite, a lead bearing variety of aragonite. Some say that tarnowitzite is a mix of aragonite and cerussite. It fluoresces white under shortwave and pale yellow under longwave UV light.

Featured on Rocks & Minerals: Bruce Cairncross (2024) Connoisseur’s Choice: Aragonite Part 4: Morocco, Rocks & Minerals, 99:2, 142-149, DOI: 10.1080/00357529.2024.2279425

Fluorescence under longwave UV light.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Aragonite (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Yellow
• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White