metamorphic

Polished unakite

Unakite: epidote, pink potassium feldspar (orthoclase), and quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs 6–7; mottled olive-green and salmon-pink, with a vitreous to slightly waxy polish. It is a coarse-grained aggregate of intergrown minerals, not a single crystal, so it has no uniform cleavage.

Identified October 13, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when granite underwent hydrothermal alteration, converting some feldspar to epidote; this alteration is generally associated with ancient Precambrian rocks. The specimen has been cut and polished.

Uses & applications

Used for lapidary pieces, beads, cabochons, decorative stone, and small carvings; it is not commonly used as a major construction stone.

Geological facts

Unakite takes its name from the Unaka Mountains of North Carolina, where it was first described. The distinctive pink-and-green pattern reflects feldspar and epidote.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by the characteristic mottled pink feldspar within green epidote, often with minor quartz; it occurs in altered granites and glacial deposits, especially in the eastern United States. This polished specimen appears consistent with unakite.