metamorphic
Unakite (bottom) and Sodalite (top)
Epidotized Granite (Unakite) and Sodium Aluminum Silicate Chloride (Sodalite)
Unakite: Hardness 6-7, mottled green/pink, dull to vitreous luster. Sodalite: Hardness 5.5-6, royal blue with white calcite streaks, greasy to vitreous luster, isometric crystal system.
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Unakite: Hardness 6-7, mottled green/pink, dull to vitreous luster. Sodalite: Hardness 5.5-6, royal blue with white calcite streaks, greasy to vitreous luster, isometric crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Unakite is formed through hydrothermal metamorphism of granite where plagioclase is replaced by epidote. Sodalite typically forms in sodium-rich igneous rocks like nepheline syenites and pegmatites.
Uses & applications
Commonly used for lapidary work, decorative cabochons, beads for jewelry, figurines, and as pocket stones for collectors.
Geological facts
Unakite was first discovered in the Unaka Range of the Appalachian Mountains in the USA. Sodalite is often mistaken for Lapis Lazuli but lacks the gold-colored pyrite specks common in Lapis.
Field identification & locations
Identify Unakite by its distinctive 'pistachio and salmon' color combination. Identify Sodalite by its deep blue color and white veins; it will not scratch glass easily but is softer than quartz. Commonly found in Virginia (USA), South Africa, and Brazil.
More like this
