Know all about Laterite and Slate properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Laterite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Slate belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Laterite is Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic whereas that of Slate is Foliated. Laterite appears Rough and Banded and Slate appears Dull. The luster of Laterite and Slate is dull. Laterite is available in brown, buff, red colors whereas Slate is available in black, brown, buff, green, light to dark grey, purple, red, shades of blue colors. The commercial uses of Laterite are an oil and gas reservoir, source of bauxite, used in aquariums and that of Slate are blackboards, commemorative tablets, laboratory bench tops, standard material for the bed of billiard table, standard material for the beds of pool and snooker table, tombstones, used in aquariums, writing slates.