Rocks have many different textures. Layered sandstone produces a gritty texture, whereas coquina may be rough with cemented shells occasionally producing a sharp edge. Likewise, breccia, which contains pieces of other rocks that have been cemented together, and porphyry, which contains interlocking mineral crystals, tend to be rough. In contrast, obsidian tends to have a smooth glassy feel, whereas serpentine may feel platy or fibrous, and talc schist often feels greasy. On the other hand, the texture of gneiss is often described by its distinct banding.
© Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.