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