Aragonite var Tarnowitzite

Prismatic Tarnowitzite crystals measuring to 1.9 cm form a domed spikey hedgehog habit from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia. Tarnowitzite is the lead rich variety of Aragonite. The crystals have pure white cores, made visible where odd crystals have been broken. The outer surface is essentially cream but tinted a subtle greenish yellow with all crystals having bright glassy lustre. The hexagonal crystals have steep pyramidal terminations and under LWUV the entire specimen fluoresces a reasonably bright lemon-yellow. As indicated, a few crystals are broken towards their base, about five, and these are distributed across the specimen.