“Rhyolite jasper” is a misnomer trade name for a rare type of rhyolite also known incorrectly as “rainforest jasper,” which resembles some jaspers. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock with high silica content that is similar to granite but has much smaller grains and more feldspar than granite.
The “rhyolite jasper” variety looks like jasper because of its patterns and colors, including brown, green, orange and yellow. It is opaque and found in Queensland, Australia at Mount Hay, which is the remains of an extinct ancient volcano that was last active about 120 million years ago.
Today a park is located there and is 36 kilometers west of Rockhampton. It’s called Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park and admission is free. If any of you have been to the park, I would appreciate knowing about your visit there.
If you have any photos of the rhyolite rocks there, that would be even better and would help us locate the rhyolite in this exceptional inlay box.
Guest articles by Renée Newman:
https://gem-spectrum.com/category/renee-newman
About the author:
Renée Newman is a gemologist (GG, GIA), lecturer, writer and author of 15 books on gems and jewelry. Her goal is to provide consumers and jewelry professionals with unbiased, affordable information on how to buy, evaluate and appreciate gems and jewelry. She can be reached through her website:
