Sahara Black (also Noir Aziza, Sahara Noir, Nero Tunis, Nero Dorato or Black Aziza) is a classic Tunisian Palaeozoic limestone from the Djebel Aziz quarrying area near El Fahs in the Zaghouan Governorate with a deep black to anthracite base tone and unmistakable golden-yellow to warm bronze-coloured veins that run through the slab image like desert rivers. Listed in the trade as a marble — used for prestigious wall claddings, feature walls, bar counter back walls, fireplace surrounds, bathrooms and refined interior fit-outs with a dramatically luxurious black-and-gold statement look.
Petrographically this is a Palaeozoic limestone from the Djebel Aziz quarrying area near El Fahs in the Zaghouan Governorate in Tunisia (DNSA #5013 NOIR AZIZA). Listed in the international stone trade as marble — an established convention for polishable carbonate rocks. The black base colour comes from organic substances and carbonaceous sediment components, the golden-yellow vein markings from secondary calcitic and iron-oxide mineralisations.
Other trade names: Black Aziza Marble, Black Khenifra, Black Sahara Marble, Marbre Noir Sahara, Marmo Nero Sahara, Marmo Nero Tunisi, Nero Aziza Marble, Nero Tunisi Marble, Noir Aziza, Noir Aziza Marble, Noir Khenifra, RO-02-337, Sahara Black Marble, Sahara Noir Marble
About Sahara Black
Sahara Black is among the most iconic and internationally most sought-after black natural dimension stones from North Africa. The stone is quarried in the quarrying area around the Djebel Aziz mountains near El Fahs in the Zaghouan Governorate in northern Tunisia — a region that ranks among the most important suppliers of natural dimension stone in North Africa and has supplied European and Middle Eastern markets with high-quality Tunisian carbonate rocks for decades. The designation “Noir Aziza” refers to the height of Djebel Aziz (Jebel Aziz), from whose quarries the stone is extracted; the designations Sahara Black and Sahara Noir allude to the geographical proximity to the Sahara desert and underline the dramatic mineral character of the material. On the international market Sahara Black is also listed as Nero Tunis, Nero Dorato and Black Aziza — all designations are synonymous trade names for one and the same Tunisian limestone.
Geologically it is a Palaeozoic limestone formed by sedimentation several hundred million years ago in a shallow, warm tropical sea. The black base colour comes from embedded organic substances, fine pyrite proportions and carbonaceous sediment components — typical of carbonate sediments deposited under low-oxygen conditions. The characteristic golden-yellow to bronze-coloured vein markings arise from secondary calcitic and iron-oxide mineralisations which have run through the dense black parent rock complex in tectonic zones of weakness. This spectacular black-and-gold combination makes Sahara Black the visual heritage of African desert romanticism in stone form — in its colouring the stone recalls stars above the Sahara desert or golden traces in volcanic ash. In the DNSA entry #5013 (NOIR AZIZA) the material is precisely documented.
Visually, Sahara Black is characterised by an exceptionally dramatic, almost painterly material signature. Over a deep black to anthracite base tone, powerful golden-yellow to warm bronze-coloured veins of movement spread out in irregular, flowing organic lines — sometimes as fine golden filigree networks, sometimes as broader ochre bands or widenings, occasionally interspersed with lighter white calcite accents. The high-contrast black-and-gold look makes the stone one of the most theatrical natural dimension stones — a visual soloist that dominates rooms. With bookmatch laying — mirror-image installation of adjacent slabs — particularly impressive, almost mandala-like symmetrical images arise with the full drama of the golden vein marking. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Technically Sahara Black ranks among the higher-quality Tunisian carbonate rocks, with documented values: bulk density 2720 kg/m³, compressive strength 92 MPa (DNSA value), flexural strength 12 MPa and water absorption of about 0.66 to 0.92 %. These values qualify the stone for demanding interior applications with high foot traffic and for constructively protected external applications. Like all carbonate rocks, Sahara Black is acid-sensitive and reacts to citric acid, vinegar or acidic cleaners with matt etching — a sensitivity that stands out visually all the more clearly because of the high black-and-gold contrast. Polished surfaces are not stable over the long term in openly weathered external locations; interior applications are the core field of use.
In interior fit-out, Sahara Black is a statement material par excellence for the highest design ambitions. Classic applications are large-area wall claddings in hotel lobbies and prestigious entrance areas, bar counter back walls and counter fronts, fireplace surrounds with a dramatic effect, feature walls in residential and commercial rooms, table and console tops as statement furniture, bathroom feature walls behind free-standing bathtubs and free-standing wall panels in prestigious rooms. The powerfully dark tonality with its luminously golden vein markings harmonises particularly with warm timber fittings in mahogany, walnut or teak, with brass, bronze and gold accents, with rich textiles in velvet and brocade — the stone works most strongly in restrained, refined surroundings in which it may act as the visual focal point, and is one of the classic choices for Arabic and Oriental-inspired architecture as well as for modern luxurious interiors. Outdoors, Sahara Black can be used for façade claddings under constructive weather protection.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
11 slabs in stock · plus 1 block
Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: cortenia® · Available as: Slabs
Guide values for the stone type, taken from manufacturer and test reports. Natural stone is a natural product — individual batches and slabs can differ. For critical applications, request slab-specific test data.
Sahara Black is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Cortenia®
A special finishing treatment — the slab is honed and then brushed in a particular way, so that a matt appearance with a finely eggshell-like feel is created. A design-led surface with restrained elegance and a subtle depth effect; the preferred choice for high-quality floor areas and wall claddings.
Care & fabrication
As a limestone, Sahara Black is acid-sensitive, but thanks to its low water absorption of 0.66 to 0.92 % it is a robust representative of its material class. Indoors, use exclusively warm water with a pH-neutral stone cleaning agent for daily cleaning — acidic household cleaners, vinegar, citric-acid descalers or other acidic substances cause matt etched areas which become visually particularly conspicuous on the polished black high-gloss surface and can only be reversed by professional re-polishing. Take up spilt acidic liquids immediately with clean water. A professional impregnation after installation and then every 1 to 2 years is recommended indoors — it reduces the absorption of pigments (red wine, coffee, olive oil) and protects the material surface against water-droplet rings. With the black base tone, water droplets and cleaning streaks are visually particularly conspicuous, which is why clean, lint-free cloth material should be used when wiping. On bar counters and table tops, coasters should be used for glasses containing acidic drinks. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Sahara Black originate?
Sahara Black is quarried in the quarrying area around the Djebel Aziz mountains near El Fahs in the Zaghouan Governorate in northern Tunisia. The designation “Noir Aziza” refers to the height of Djebel Aziz (Jebel Aziz), from whose quarries the stone is extracted. Tunisia ranks among the most important suppliers of natural dimension stone in North Africa and has supplied European and Middle Eastern markets with high-quality Tunisian carbonate rocks for decades.
What do the parallel trade names Noir Aziza, Nero Tunis and Nero Dorato mean?
Sahara Black, Noir Aziza, Sahara Noir, Nero Tunis, Nero Dorato and Black Aziza are synonymous trade names for one and the same Tunisian limestone. “Noir Aziza” (French for “black of Aziz”) is the established designation in the French-speaking market and in the DNSA data sheet. “Nero Dorato” (Italian for “golden black”) refers to the characteristic black-and-gold combination of the stone. The choice of the specific trade name depends on the marketing of the respective supplier and on the target market.
Is Sahara Black a marble or a limestone?
Petrographically correct, Sahara Black is a Palaeozoic limestone. In the stone trade it is traditionally listed as “marble” — a convention established on the international market for polishable carbonate rocks. For care, the classification as a limestone is decisive: Sahara Black is acid-sensitive and reacts to citric acid, vinegar or acidic cleaners with matt etching.
What is the Cortenia® finish?
Cortenia® is a premium surface refinement that gives the stone a characterful, rustic, slightly patinated appearance with a subtly lustrous depth. The treatment appears refined and restrained and shows Sahara Black in a warm mineral material signature that shifts between mattness and gloss. This refinement is a relatively modern design option, used in contemporary interior architecture where a characterful, refined appearance is wanted.
Is Sahara Black suitable for kitchen worktops?
With clear restrictions. Its acid sensitivity to lemon juice, vinegar, wine and cola leads to matt etched areas that stand out particularly clearly on the black material surface. In very carefully kept design kitchens, in which every spilt drop is wiped up immediately and the client accepts the natural formation of patina as a characteristic feature, its use is possible; for intensively used family kitchens we recommend acid-insensitive hard stones such as black granites or quartzites. A professional impregnation offers no protection against acid attack.
In which applications is Sahara Black typically used?
Sahara Black is primarily a statement material for prestigious interior architecture. Classic fields of use are large-area wall claddings in hotel lobbies and entrance areas, bar counter back walls and counter fronts, fireplace surrounds with a dramatic effect, bathroom feature walls behind free-standing bathtubs, table and console tops and free-standing wall panels in prestigious rooms. With bookmatch laying, particularly impressive symmetrical large-scale patterns arise — a spectacular design option for high-quality interior architecture. The stone is particularly suited to Arabic and Oriental-inspired architecture as well as to modern luxurious interiors.
What does Sahara Black cost?
The price depends on the batch, thickness, surface finish and fabrication — with natural stone there is no serious flat rate per square metre. Business customers see prices once their B2B account is activated; private customers receive a complete quote through a fabricator near them.
