Chipboard Rhyolite: Identification, Uses, and Meaning

Rhyolite and granite are easily confused as they are both igneous rocks and similar in appearance and makeup, yet they have key differences to help identify them.

Here we will explain what chipboard rhyolite is, how to identify it, where it is found, and its uses.

What is Chipboard Rhyolite?

Rhyolite is a type of igneous rock that can be found all over the earth, but most often near volcanic sites.

Rhyolite forms from violent volcanic eruption as the lava cools on or near the Earth’s surface.

There are different kinds of rhyolite, as it takes on different forms and crystals depending on how quickly or slowly the lava cools.

Chipboard rhyolite is named as it often occurs as a slab of rhyolite with various geometric patterns of lighter pink within reddish brown or black lines, therefore resembling a piece of chipboard.

How is Rhyolite Formed?

Rhyolite is an extrusive igneous rock which is found on or near the Earth’s surface after a violent volcanic eruption, forming when the lava that has been released cools on the ground.

The different crystals are formed depending on how quickly the lava cools on the surface. Rhyolite contains a high amount of silica and is therefore a felsic rock.

Where is Chipboard Rhyolite Found?

Rhyolite is often found in deposits near active or extinct volcanoes and can be found in many areas on the Earth’s surface.

Rhyolite has been found in many countries:

Europe – Germany, Spain, France, Iceland, Ireland, Wales, and Shetland.
Asia – India and China.
Rhyolite rocks have also been found in New Zealand.

How Do You Identify Chipboard Rhyolite?

Colors
Rhyolite varies in color from black, grey, white, pink, to reddish brown.

It can have different patterns, spots, specs, and swirls of these colors.

Appearance
Rhyolite stones are usually uniform in texture, and you can often see the appearance of lava flow structures.

Rhyolite has a fine-grained texture made up of phenocrysts – these are small crystals embedded within the rock.

If the rhyolite cools slowly, the process can lead to crystals of quartz or felspar, whereas a quick cooling process produces pumice and obsidian rhyolite.

Hardness
Rhyolite has a hardness level of 6 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

This makes it just above a medium hardness.

This stone should be able to be scratched with a knife, yet it would take some force.

Density
Rhyolite is made up of at least 70% silica, so has a bulky density of up to 2.6 mega grams.

Why Do People Get Confused Between Rhyolite and Granite?

Rhyolite and granite are extremely similar stones in appearance and makeup.

Rhyolite is the extrusive equivalent of granite. Yet they have a few key differences:

Form
The main difference between rhyolite and granite is the process through which they are formed. Rhyolite is an extrusive igneous rock which crystallizes near or on the Earth’s surface. Granite is a plutonic or intrusive igneous rock which crystallizes deep in the crust.

Crystals
The crystals found in rhyolite are a lot smaller and finer than those found in granite, they are usually so fine that they are difficult to see. Whereas granite has larger, coarser crystals.

Appearance
Rhyolite usually has a glassier appearance than granite, which appears more coarse and dull.

Makeup
Rhyolite contains more potassium than sodium, whereas granite has a balance between these. Granite contains the mineral muscovite which is rarely found in rhyolite.

Rarity
Granite is a lot more common than rhyolite, as lava usually crystallizes before it reaches the surface.

What is Chipboard Rhyolite Used For?

Throughout history:

The Maori used obsidian rhyolite as a tool for cutting and weapons as it can be easily shaped into a sharp edge.

People throughout North America were also found to have used rhyolite as spear and arrowheads throughout history.

In modern day:

Cements – rhyolite tuff is used in construction for buildings such as houses, offices, and skyscrapers. It is also used as paving stones and for roads.

It is also used in interior decorating such as kitchens, homes, and hotels.

Rhyolite can be kept as a decorative stone in homes.

Rhyolite is used in jewelry such as bracelets and pendants – chipboard rhyolite is popular in jewelry due to the pink and reddish colors and interesting patterns.

Rhyolite can be used to find gems – gems can occur in rhyolite, such as opal, topaz, and agate.

It is also used by some for meditation and is claimed to have metaphysical healing properties.

What Are the Metaphysical Properties of Chipboard Rhyolite?

Rhyolite is claimed to be a healing stone and is used for meditation.

Rhyolite can be used during meditation as a rough stone, a tumbled stone, or worn as a bracelet or a pendant.

Rhyolite is claimed to have many metaphysical properties:

Rhyolite is associated with love, hope, and joy.
It is claimed to increase self-love, confidence, and self-esteem.
It is claimed to give the user strength and endurance, power, and allows them to see their potential.
It is also claimed to aid with emotional balance, acceptance, healing, and dispelling negative energy.

How Do You Care for Rhyolite?

Rhyolite should not be cleaned with water, instead it should be rubbed with a soft, dry cloth to keep it clean and preserve any polish.

Can You Polish Rhyolite?

You can purchase polished rhyolite – the polish adds an extra sheen and glassiness to the rock which make it more appealing to use for jewelry and decoration.

Polished rhyolite is a decoration block used in builds such as homes or kitchens to improve the look and smoothness.

Polished rhyolite is very hard and durable, which makes it ideal for use in construction.

Conclusion

Chipboard rhyolite is an attractive pink, white, and reddish-brown patterned variety of the stone rhyolite.

Chipboard rhyolite is popular in jewelry and decoration in a home, and rhyolite itself is used in construction and structures.

Rhyolite can be confused with granite, as they are both igneous rocks, yet they have different formations and crystal sizes.