Know all about Shale and Slate properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Shale belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Slate belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Shale is Clastic, Splintery whereas that of Slate is Foliated. Shale appears Muddy and Slate appears Dull. The luster of Shale and Slate is dull. Shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors whereas Slate is available in black, brown, buff, green, light to dark grey, purple, red, shades of blue colors. The commercial uses of Shale are creating artwork, pottery 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.