Black Basalt

Black Basalt

Profile: Black Basalt

• Stone name: Black basalt (Black Basalt)
• Trade name: Black basalt, Egyptian basalt stone (or volcanic basalt depending on the country of origin, such as Jordanian or Syrian basalt).
• Geological classification: Basic volcanic (extrusive) igneous rock (Mafic Igneous Rock).
• Type: 100% natural rock.
• Quarry: Found in areas with a volcanic history; in the Middle East, well-known quarries include areas such as Abu Zaabal in Egypt, Sweida in Syria, and the northern and central regions of Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
• Color and appearance :Deep black or very dark gray, with a solid, uniform appearance, and it may sometimes contain fine pores or voids caused by volcanic gases.
• Hardness: Very high, ranging from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale (Mohs Scale), making it stronger than most types of marble and limestone.
• Water absorption: Very low, usually ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%, giving it superior moisture resistance.
• Density: High, ranging from 2.8 to 3.0 g/cm³.
• Abrasion and scratch resistance: Excellent; it does not scratch easily and withstands heavy friction and heavy loads without wear.
• Weather resistance: Superior; it resists acid rain, ultraviolet rays and harsh temperature changes (thermal shock and cracking) without any change in color or properties.
• Ideal use:
  • Paving streets and outdoor walkways (random or regular basalt stone).
  • Garden walkways and driveways (Driveways).
  • Cladding for modern and historic building facades.
  • Interior wall decor (modern).
• Suitable finishes:
  • Rock face (Rock-faced / Split) :A rough, prominent natural look.
  • Tooled / pitted (Bush-hammered) :A textured look that prevents slipping.
  • Matte (Honed): a smooth texture without strong shine that brings out the depth of the black color.
  • Polished (Polished): Rarely used outdoors; used indoors to give a dark marble-like look.
• Advantages:
  • Everlasting durability and resistance to heavy loads and high pressure.
  • Slip-resistant when given a rough finish.
  • Unaffected by oils or stains thanks to its low porosity.
  • Gives a strong sense of luxury and architectural character (whether classic or modern).
• Disadvantages:
  • Difficult to cut and shape due to its extreme hardness, which raises fabrication costs.
  • Absorbs a lot of heat in summer due to its deep black color.
  • Its heavy weight requires specific installation skills (especially on high facades).
• Maintenance: Very easy; it only needs periodic high-pressure water washing to remove dust. It does not need sealers (Sealers) unless you want to give it a permanent wet look (Wet Look).
• Alternatives: Black granite (such as Black Aswan or Galaxy), diorite stone, or black limestone (taking the difference in hardness into account).
• Average price: Medium to high; the price varies greatly by thickness (2 cm differs from 5 or 10 cm cubes and interlock), finishing method (rock face or polished), and type of shipping and sorting.