Slate stone, are layered rocks of metamorphic origin with clayey minerals which are flat, platy and flaky in nature. Being quite soft than sandstone or quartzite slatestone is easily splittable with chisel and hammer, more so because of presence of platy and flaky minerals parallel to the planes of foliations. Rarely slate stones are splitted with aid of machines. They are easy to work with for desirable shapes, sizes and finishes but there is limitation in availability of large size. Because of micaceous and chloritic minerals present in slates, these stones impart a shining luster on naturally split surfaces, hence are preferred as flagstones for wall cladding specially in interiors.