Know all about Basalt and Tephrite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Basalt and Tephrite belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Basalt is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular whereas that of Tephrite is Aphanitic to Porphyritic. Basalt appears Dull and Soft and Tephrite appears Vesicular. The luster of Basalt is not available while that of Tephrite is subvitreous to dull. Basalt is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors whereas Tephrite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Basalt are an oil and gas reservoir, commemorative tablets, creating artwork, used in aquariums and that of Tephrite are production of lime, soil conditioner.