The facts
What basalt actually is
The species behind basalt is volcanic rock, Plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine; it forms in the aggregate system.
Iron and magnesium silicates is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a specific gravity of about 2.8–3.0, with none cleavage.
Where basalt comes from
Commercial material comes from Iceland, Hawaii, India (Deccan) and Turkey.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
Is basalt treated?
None.
That makes disclosure simple: there is nothing to declare. It also means a seller offering a "treated" version of this material is offering something else.
What basalt is confused with
Watch for Gabbro and Dolerite — these are what turn up sold under this name.
Because the material is opaque, refractive index is no help. Specific gravity around 2.8–3.0, hardness of 6, streak and magnification do the work instead.
What basalt is used for
The trades that buy basalt are wellness and body care, landscaping, kitchen and table, agriculture and construction. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the kilo, by the tonne or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 6; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What basalt costs
Expect roughly $0.20–4/kg, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is basalt treated?
None.
Where does basalt come from?
Iceland, Hawaii, India (Deccan) and Turkey. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is basalt hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does basalt cost?
Indicatively $0.20–4/kg. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is basalt confused with?
Most often Gabbro and Dolerite. Since the material is opaque, separation relies on specific gravity near 2.8–3.0, hardness and magnification.
What is basalt used for besides jewellery?
wellness and body care, landscaping, kitchen and table, agriculture and construction. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for basalt?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about basalt