Know all about Basalt and Soapstone properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Basalt belongs to Igneous Rocks while Soapstone belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Basalt is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular whereas that of Soapstone is Polished. Basalt appears Dull and Soft and Soapstone appears Dull, Banded and Foilated. The luster of Basalt is not available while that of Soapstone is greasy. Basalt is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors whereas Soapstone is available in black, black to grey, green, grey colors. The commercial uses of Basalt are an oil and gas reservoir, commemorative tablets, creating artwork, used in aquariums and that of Soapstone are cemetery markers, creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, manufacture of soap, solvents, dyes, plastics and fibres, production of lime, source of magnesia (mgo).