Is this coal?

[boojababy]

It shatters easy when hit with a hammer and is not magnetic, I find it underground in my backyard in central MN.

 

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[favored papa]

could be light it up

 

[boojababy]

OK, I put it over a flame, it caught on fire when it was in the flame but went out as soon as it was out of the flame, when I put it in water to cool it off it hissed.

 

[1320]

Does it smell like chit when it burned?

 

[Digzit2]

Looks like coal to me.

 

[thekspapa]

I'd say, yes it's coal. If you home is older it could be left over from the old days when it was used for heating.

 

[Alex Burke]

I think it is Anthracite which is coal that has been heated and pressurized and is considered a metamorphic rock. It's the highest grade coal and usually above 90% carbon content so it has few impurities. The fact it went out quickly makes sense, it should give off a short blue flame that goes out quickly in a test like you did.

Only a very small percentage of coal is of high grade or ultra high grade anthracite and most coal has lower carbon content and more impurities, making this the most sought after type of coal because it burns cleanest and gives off the most energy when burned because it's almost pure carbon.

 

[boojababy]

I think it is Anthracite which is coal that has been heated and pressurized and is considered a metamorphic rock. It's the highest grade coal and usually above 90% carbon content so it has few impurities. The fact it went out quickly makes sense, it should give off a short blue flame that goes out quickly in a test like you did.

Only a very small percentage of coal is of high grade or ultra high grade anthracite and most coal has lower carbon content and more impurities, making this the most sought after type of coal because it burns cleanest and gives off the most energy when burned because it's almost pure carbon.

Cool, I had heard of that kind of coal but never seen it. Would that kind be in central MN?

 

[kcm]

Well, Yellowpages.com is showing 9 listings for coal/coke suppliers in Duluth. I don't think Anthracite is native to the area, but it is native in Wisconsin.

 

[Alex Burke]

Cool, I had heard of that kind of coal but never seen it. Would that kind be in central MN?

Maybe I don't know the geology there very well but try looking up the county in Mindat to see what minerals have been found in that area. Here's a link to the Minnesota page, the counties are listed at the bottom. http://www.mindat.org/loc-16817.html

 

[boojababy]

A friend of mine thinks its kimberlite.

 

[Deft Tones]

Looks like coal.

It was mined around my area, coal that is. My area apparently had high grade coal in certain seams. There is also a type found here and England that was popular for use in Victorian era jewelry that takes a nice polish to a jet black lustre. I found an earing once that has this coal type set in sterling. I guess it was popular to wear in mourning. I don't recall the details of the research though.