Know all about Gneiss and Diabase properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Gneiss belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Diabase belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Gneiss is Banded, Foliated, Platy whereas that of Diabase is Aphanitic, Granular. Gneiss appears Foliated and Diabase appears Vesicular. The luster of Gneiss is dull while that of Diabase is not available. Gneiss is available in black, brown, pink, red, white colors whereas Diabase is available in dark grey to black colors. The commercial uses of Gneiss are cemetery markers, jewelry, tombstones, used in aquariums and that of Diabase are an oil and gas reservoir, cemetery markers, commemorative tablets, laboratory bench tops, jewelry, sea defence, tombstones.