Know all about Gneiss and Shale properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Gneiss belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Shale belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Gneiss is Banded, Foliated, Platy whereas that of Shale is Clastic, Splintery. Gneiss appears Foliated and Shale appears Muddy. The luster of Gneiss and Shale is dull. Gneiss is available in black, brown, pink, red, white colors whereas Shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Gneiss are cemetery markers, jewelry, tombstones, used in aquariums and that of Shale are creating artwork, pottery.