metamorphic
Unakite
Epidotized Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and gray (quartz); Luster: Dull to Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic/massive; Specific Gravity: 2.85-3.00
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Luster
- Dull to Vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and gray (quartz); Luster: Dull to Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic/massive; Specific Gravity: 2.85-3.00
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism of granite, where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote. Primarily Proterozoic in age, occurring in mountain belts and river beds.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative stone for architectural facades, floor tiles, and widely in jewelry for cabochons and beads. It is a popular lapidary material for carvings.
Geological facts
First discovered in the Unaka Range of North Carolina, hence its name. It is unique because it is one of the few rocks named after a specific mountain range.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive 'pistachio and salmon' color combination. Commonly found in riverbeds along the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Superior shores as glacial drift.
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