The embodiments of the invention are directed to a synthetic ceramic comprising pyroxene-containing crystalline phase, a clast, and a glass phase, wherein at least a portion of the synthetic ceramic is plastically deformable in a certain temperature range. Other embodiments of the invention relate to a method of making a synthetic ceramic, comprising heating a green ceramic material to 900-1400.degree. C., to a temperature sufficient to initiate partial melting of at least a portion of the green ceramic material, transferring the heated green ceramic material to a press, pressing the heated green ceramic material in a die at 1,000 to 10,000 psi, and transferring the heated, pressed green ceramic material to a furnace for cooling to form the synthetic ceramic.