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The Science
Lava isn't lava until it exits a volcano. Lava originates as molten rock (magma) found beneath the earth's surface. Though magma contains some crystals, sediments and dissolved gases, it is primarily a liquid composed of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, titanium and manganese. After the lava cools and solidifies, it becomes an igneous or lava rock. Conversely, ceramic is man-made material that dates to approximately 24,000 B.C., in Europe, where human figurines, slabs and balls were found.
The Makings
The ceramic figurines were originally made from bone and animal fat mixed with fine clay like material and bone ash. Once a product was formed, it was then set in a domed- or horseshoe-shaped kiln that was dug into the ground and fired at temperatures between 500 to 800 degrees Celsius (932 to 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit). Therefore, ceramics can be shaped and formed prior to the final product.
Composition
Lava rock, on the other hand, is entirely dependent on the minerals it is composed of and the rate at which it cools. For example, while lava is initially red hot when it first erupts from a volcano, upon cooling and solidifying the color will change to dark red, black, gray or various other colors. The temperature of lava also changes its composition. Fluid lava that flows like hot tar is very hot and gas-rich with an abundance of iron and magnesium, whereas slower-moving lava is cooler and gas-poor and contains the minerals silicon, sodium and potassium.
Uses
Though it would seem that ceramic has always been a useful material, the first utilitarian objects weren't found until approximately 9,000 B.C. Ceramics are vital in the production of machinery, automobiles and building. Refractories are made from ceramic material that can withstand the volatile and high temperature needed to process metals. While ceramic can be made in a variety of colors and textures, the luster and color of lava rock is determined by the recent deposit as well as the time it takes the lava to cool. Black or basalt rock is typically the outer shell of cooled lava, whereas "blue rock" is found in the interior of a dense flow. This "blue rock" is often stated to be the bane of contractors as well as the most sought after by commercial quarry operators because of its exceptional difficulty to break, consequently making it the best grade construction aggregate.
Durability
Even though both ceramic and lava rock are durable materials, lava rock can be melted back to its original form of magma. Ceramic brick, however, is the only building material that will not burn, melt, dent, rot, rust or be eaten by termites. The electrical industry would not exist without the use of ceramic nor would useful items such as granite exist without lava rock.