Know all about Oil shale and Taconite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Oil shale and Taconite belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Oil shale is Splintery whereas that of Taconite is Banded, Trellis. Oil shale appears Muddy and Taconite appears Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny. The luster of Oil shale is dull while that of Taconite is earthy. Oil shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors whereas Taconite is available in red, reddish brown colors. The commercial uses of Oil shale are an oil and gas reservoir and that of Taconite are as a touchstone, cemetery markers, creating artwork.