metamorphic
Unakite / Feldspar Veined Metamorphic Pebble
Metamorphic Rock with K-Feldspar, Epidote, and Quartz
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Distinctive salmon-pink orthoclase feldspar band framed by dark greenish-gray epidote/quartz matrix. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Cleavage: Poor in mass, distinct in feldspar grains.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Distinctive salmon-pink orthoclase feldspar band framed by dark greenish-gray epidote/quartz matrix. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Cleavage: Poor in mass, distinct in feldspar grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism of granitic rocks, where plagioclase feldspar is altered to green epidote, while pink potassium feldspar and quartz remain.
Uses & applications
Popular for lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons and beads), rock tumbling, and ornamental carvings.
Geological facts
Unakite was first discovered in the Unaka Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southeastern United States, giving the stone its name.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by the high-contrast combination of bright salmon-pink potassium feldspar and dull pistachior-dark green epidote. Commonly found in riverbeds, glaciated regions, and gravel pits near granitic mountain ranges.
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