Basalt Armour?

Yes the Depth of the Nether contest came out a few days ago, which I really wanted to enter.

So, I, at first, had no idea what to create. Then, my IRL friend came up to me today and said 'I love basalt!'

So I propose to you this- basalt should have the ability to be compressed with 9 basalt to make compressed basalt. Compressed basalt should be able to be used to create a new armour set- about the same level as iron and you have to get to the nether first but it is much cheaper once you get there. You could probably even make it a substitute for iron tools!

Since this is my entry to the Depth of the Nether contest as it is what I personally would wear as I explore the deeper, darker parts of the Nether, I put a little scared red boy as the skin wearing the armour. Hopefully the mortified little guy gets avoided by the Ghasts that think it's just a walking, talking, fighting piece of basalt with random bits of red, pink and brown on it!

Oh, and if you want to put the basalt armour on your skin (which I doubt will happen), feel free to do so with credit! Enjoy!