Unakite

Unakite is not a single mineral but an altered, granitic rock composed mainly of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and clear to milky quartz. The combination produces its distinctive mottled pink-and-green (sometimes called watermelon) appearance. It is technically a metamorphically altered granite, sometimes called epidotized granite.

Named after the Unaka Mountains of the Appalachians where it was first described, unakite is tough, takes a good polish, and is widely used as an ornamental and lapidary stone.

Quality varies with the balance and brightness of the pink and green; the most attractive material has bold contrast and even mottling.

Unakite forms when granite undergoes hydrothermal alteration (a low-grade metamorphic process), during which some of its plagioclase feldspar is replaced by green epidote while pink potassium feldspar and quartz remain. This produces the characteristic pink-and-green mottled texture.

The process occurs where hot mineral-rich fluids alter granitic rock. Unakite was first identified in the Unaka Range of the Appalachian Mountains (North Carolina/Tennessee). Other sources include Virginia, South Africa, Brazil, China and Zimbabwe, and glacial deposits around the Great Lakes.

Unakite is easily recognized by its mottled pink-and-green pattern: pink feldspar with patches of pistachio-green epidote and gray quartz. It is a granular rock with hardness around 6-7 overall (epidote 6-7, feldspar 6, quartz 7), scratching glass; it takes a high polish and shows a granitic, speckled texture.

Look-alikes: Ruby in zoisite (anyolite) is green with red ruby and black inclusions rather than pink feldspar. Some pink-and-green jaspers are more uniform and lack the granular crystal texture. The visible interlocking grains of pink feldspar plus green epidote are diagnostic of unakite.

Unakite is widely used for beads, cabochons, tumbled stones, spheres, pyramids, carvings and decorative objects, valued for its durability and distinctive pink-green coloring. It is also used as an ornamental building and countertop stone and is collected from beaches and riverbeds.

It is inexpensive and prized mainly for lapidary and decorative purposes. Material with bright, balanced pink and green and good polish is most desirable.

Metaphysically it is associated with balance, gentle emotional grounding and the heart chakra, though these claims are not scientifically supported.