Know all about Shale and Basalt properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Shale belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Basalt belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Shale is Clastic, Splintery whereas that of Basalt is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular. Shale appears Muddy and Basalt appears Dull and Soft. The luster of Shale is dull while that of Basalt is not available. Shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors whereas Basalt is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors. The commercial uses of Shale are creating artwork, pottery and that of Basalt are an oil and gas reservoir, commemorative tablets, creating artwork, used in aquariums.