Know all about Slate and Banded iron formation properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Slate belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Banded iron formation belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Slate is Foliated whereas that of Banded iron formation is Banded, Trellis. Slate appears Dull and Banded iron formation appears Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny. The luster of Slate is dull while that of Banded iron formation is earthy. Slate is available in black, brown, buff, green, light to dark grey, purple, red, shades of blue colors whereas Banded iron formation is available in red, reddish brown colors. The commercial uses 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 and that of Banded iron formation are as a touchstone, cemetery markers, creating artwork.