What is "anthraconite"

Anthraconite \An*thrac"o*nite\, n. [See Anthracite.] (Min.) A coal-black marble, usually emitting a fetid smell when rubbed; -- called also stinkstone and swinestone.

n. (context mineral English) A coal-black marble, usually emitting a foetid smell when rubbed.

Anthraconite (also spelled as anthraxonite) or stinkstone is a form of black to grey, bituminous bearing marble, calcite or limestone which produces an unpleasant odour when struck or rubbed. It is thought to have been formed when limestone is deposited under anaerobic conditions. Some anthraconite releases enough petroleum when struck, that it may be lit. At least one locality where it is found is in the vicinity of Traverse City, Michigan.