Know all about Oil shale and Basanite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Oil shale belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Basanite belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Oil shale is Splintery whereas that of Basanite is Aphanitic to Porphyritic. Oil shale appears Muddy and Basanite appears Glassy or Pearly. The luster of Oil shale is dull while that of Basanite is waxy and dull. Oil shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors whereas Basanite is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Oil shale are an oil and gas reservoir and that of Basanite are as a touchstone, creating artwork, gemstone, in fire-starting tools, manufacture of tools, metallurgical flux, jewelry, to ignite fire, used in flintlock firearms.