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