Know all about Coal and Oil shale properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Coal and Oil shale belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Coal is Amorphous, Glassy whereas that of Oil shale is Splintery. Coal appears Veined or Pebbled and Oil shale appears Muddy. The luster of Coal is dull to vitreous to submetallic while that of Oil shale is dull. Coal is available in black, brown, dark brown, grey, light to dark grey colors whereas Oil shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Coal are alumina refineries, electricity generation, liquid fuel, manufacture of soap, solvents, dyes, plastics and fibres, paper industry and that of Oil shale are an oil and gas reservoir.