metamorphic
Unakite
Epidotized Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase feldspar), and clear/gray (quartz); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic/massive; Specific gravity: 2.85-3.20.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase feldspar), and clear/gray (quartz); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic/massive; Specific gravity: 2.85-3.20.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism of granite, where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote. Usually associated with Precambrian or Paleozoic geological basement complexes.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a gemstone for beads and cabochons, decorative carvings, architectural facing, and sometimes as a landscaping stone.
Geological facts
Unakite was first discovered in the Unaka Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the United States, for which it is named. It is the state rock of Virginia.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive 'pistachio and salmon' color combination. It is frequently found as river stones or pebbles in areas with metamorphic basement rock, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Lakes region.
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