Basalt is another stone quarried for conversion into tiles and slabs, and used in commercial and domestic building applications. This stone can also be re-traced to volcanic origins, so it is categorized as a lavatic stone. Its unique structure and its remarkable uniformity are a result of the gases that escape during the cooling process.

Like other stones Basalt is an age-old material, probably best known to most of us in the form of cobblestone paving of roads and pathways. In recent years it has seen a revival of sorts in the redevelopment of residential streets and pedestrians
malls.

Basalt is, however, equally attractive in the form of tiles, whether they are polished or honed. Its main use remains outdoors, where it is often used as cladding.

Bluestone is essentially the same as Basalt but from different areas and therefore has a slightly different appearance. It is commonly used for outdoor applications as well.