Know all about Laterite and Gneiss properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Laterite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Gneiss belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Laterite is Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic whereas that of Gneiss is Banded, Foliated, Platy. Laterite appears Rough and Banded and Gneiss appears Foliated. The luster of Laterite and Gneiss is dull. Laterite is available in brown, buff, red colors whereas Gneiss is available in black, brown, pink, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Laterite are an oil and gas reservoir, source of bauxite, used in aquariums and that of Gneiss are cemetery markers, jewelry, tombstones, used in aquariums.