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