metamorphic
Unakite
Epidotized Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and colorless/grey (quartz); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: None/Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.85-3.00
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and colorless/grey (quartz); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: None/Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.85-3.00
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism of granite, where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote. Most common in the Proterozoic eon within high-grade metamorphic belts.
Uses & applications
Mostly used for lapidary work, including beads, cabochons, carvings, and architectural stones like floor tiles or mantlepieces.
Geological facts
It gets its name from the Unaka Range of North Carolina and Tennessee where it was first discovered. It is often touted in metaphysical circles as a stone of vision and emotional balance.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its distinct 'Christmas' color combination of salmon pink and mossy green. Commonly found in riverbeds and glacial drifts in the Blue Ridge Mountains, USA, and shorelines of Lake Superior.
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