metamorphic
Tumbled unakite
Unakite: epidote, pink feldspar (orthoclase), and quartz
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically mottled green and salmon-pink with a waxy to vitreous polish; Mohs hardness about 6–7. The image shows a rounded, polished pebble with uneven green-brown and pale pink areas; mineral proportions cannot be confirmed visually.
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Physical properties
Typically mottled green and salmon-pink with a waxy to vitreous polish; Mohs hardness about 6–7. The image shows a rounded, polished pebble with uneven green-brown and pale pink areas; mineral proportions cannot be confirmed visually.
Formation & geological history
Formed when granite or similar rock underwent hydrothermal alteration, converting some minerals to epidote while retaining feldspar and quartz. It is found in metamorphosed igneous rocks, including exposures of the Precambrian Blue Ridge terrain.
Uses & applications
Used for tumbled stones, beads, carvings, and decorative objects; rarely used as a dimension stone.
Geological facts
The name comes from the Unaka Mountains of the southeastern United States, where it was first described.
Field identification & locations
Look for its characteristic pink-and-green mottling and hardness sufficient to scratch glass; common sources include the Appalachians and South Africa. A single photo cannot verify that this specimen is unakite rather than another mottled stone.
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