metamorphic

Unakite (likely tumbled)

Unakite; epidote–orthoclase–quartz aggregate

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically green epidote with pink to salmon orthoclase and minor quartz; hardness about 6–7 Mohs, vitreous to dull luster, granular texture, no prominent cleavage, and specific gravity around 2.7–3.0. The image shows a polished/tumbled green-and-pink specimen.

Identified September 14, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Unakite forms when granite undergoes hydrothermal alteration, replacing feldspar with epidote while quartz commonly remains. It is generally associated with older Precambrian to Paleozoic metamorphic terrains, rather than having one specific age.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental and lapidary stone for beads, cabochons, carvings, and tumbled stones; it has little industrial or construction value.

Geological facts

Its distinctive mottled green-and-pink appearance results from contrasting epidote and potassium feldspar. “Unakite” is a commercial rock name, not a single mineral species.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by the combination of salmon-pink feldspar and pistachio-green epidote, commonly with translucent gray quartz; it is found notably in the Unaka Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, USA, and in similar altered granites worldwide.