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Anthracite identification and geology

Anthracite rock reference specimen

Hard, lustrous, high-rank coal with 90% carbon. The highest grade of coal with a semi-metallic luster. Texture: Conchoidal fracture, vitreous. Rock type: Sedimentary Organic / Low-grade metamorphic. Grain size: Organic. Minerals present: Carbon 90%, Quartz minor, Clay minor. Formation: Forms from extreme burial metamorphism of lower-rank coals at temperatures above 200°C. Common geological settings: Pennsylvania USA , Wales, Vietnam, China; found in highly deformed sedimentary basins. Common look-alikes and related entries: Coal, Jet, Graphite.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:38:34.387685+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • Rocks — U.S. National Park Service. Authoritative overview of rock groups, the rock cycle, and geologic processes.
  • Can you identify my rock or mineral? — U.S. Geological Survey. Identification limitations and routes to in-person professional verification.

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Common questions

What is Anthracite?
Hard, lustrous, high-rank coal with 90% carbon. The highest grade of coal with a semi-metallic luster.
How can you identify Anthracite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records rock type: Sedimentary Organic / Low-grade metamorphic; texture: Conchoidal fracture, vitreous; grain size: Organic; common minerals: Carbon 90%, Quartz minor, Clay minor. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Anthracite form?
Forms from extreme burial metamorphism of lower-rank coals at temperatures above 200°C.
Where is Anthracite commonly found?
Pennsylvania USA , Wales, Vietnam, China; found in highly deformed sedimentary basins.
What is Anthracite commonly confused with?
Anthracite may be confused with Coal, Jet, Graphite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.

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