Comparison · Igneous Rocks
Basalt vs Norite
Basalt and Norite are easy to confuse because both are igneous rocks. Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Basalt and Norite
- Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Basalt leaves a variable; test individual minerals streak on unglazed porcelain, Norite leaves gray to white.
- They overlap in black, gray, and green, but Norite also comes in white and brown.
Basalt vs Norite properties
| Property | Basalt | Norite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Igneous Rocks | Igneous Rocks |
| Mohs hardness | 6 | 6 |
| Luster | dull | dull |
| Streak | Variable; test individual minerals | Gray to white |
| Transparency | opaque | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 3 | 3 |
| Crystal system | varies | varies |
| Common colors | Black, Dark Gray, Dark Green | Black, Dark gray, White, Greenish black, Brown |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $1–$30+ | $1–$75+ |
Which is more valuable?
Norite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $10 against $5 for Basalt, and premium Norite can reach $75 or more.
About Basalt
Basalt is a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that makes up most of the ocean floor and Hawaiian Islands. It often forms distinctive columnar jointing.
About Norite
Norite is a coarse-grained mafic intrusive igneous rock similar to gabbro but richer in orthopyroxene. It often looks dark, speckled, and dense.
Basalt vs Norite FAQ
Is Basalt the same as Norite?
No. Both are igneous rocks, but they are distinct rock types with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Basalt from Norite?
Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Basalt leaves a variable; test individual minerals streak on unglazed porcelain, Norite leaves gray to white. They overlap in black, gray, and green, but Norite also comes in white and brown.
Which is harder, Basalt or Norite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 6.
Which is more valuable, Basalt or Norite?
Norite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $10 against $5 for Basalt, and premium Norite can reach $75 or more.
