Basalt column fountains are mined from volcanic rock and is one of the most common types of rock in the world. Although very common, it is rare to find in the long solid columns used for basalt column fountains.

These long basalt columns are then cored using a special diamond bit. They are a very dense rock weighing close to 200 lbs. per cubic ft. In the United States, most of the basalt column formations are found in the state of Washington.

The skin or crust on the outside of the columns will have a patina that ranges from beige to red to black and will often contain a multitude of colors. The inside of basalt is black and polishes up to a rich luster.