Know all about Shale and Hornfels properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Shale belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Hornfels belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Shale is Clastic, Splintery whereas that of Hornfels is Granular, Platy. Shale appears Muddy and Hornfels appears Dull. The luster of Shale is dull while that of Hornfels is shiny. Shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors whereas Hornfels is available in brown, dark greenish - grey, green, reddish brown colors. The commercial uses of Shale are creating artwork, pottery and that of Hornfels are cemetery markers, commemorative tablets, creating artwork.