Know all about Shale and Soapstone properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Shale belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Soapstone belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Shale is Clastic, Splintery whereas that of Soapstone is Polished. Shale appears Muddy and Soapstone appears Dull, Banded and Foilated. The luster of Shale is dull while that of Soapstone is greasy. Shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors whereas Soapstone is available in black, black to grey, green, grey colors. The commercial uses of Shale are creating artwork, pottery and that of Soapstone are cemetery markers, creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, manufacture of soap, solvents, dyes, plastics and fibres, production of lime, source of magnesia (mgo).