metamorphic
Unakite
Epidotized Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs), Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and gray (quartz), Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Granular/Massive, Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs), Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and gray (quartz), Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Granular/Massive, Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism of granite, where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote. Usually associated with Precambrian or Proterozoic age formations.
Uses & applications
Used prominently for architectural trim, tiles, semiprecious gemstones, lapidary carvings, and metaphysical collecting.
Geological facts
Named after the Unaka Range in North Carolina, USA, where it was first discovered. It is often used as a stone for balancing the emotional body.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its unique 'pistachio green' and 'salmon pink' mottling. Commonly found as river pebbles or road gravel in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina.
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