metamorphic

Unakite (weathered pebble)

Unakite: epidote-bearing granitoid, typically quartz + pink potassium feldspar + green epidote

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Uneven green-and-pink patches with a dull to slightly vitreous luster; hardness about 6–7 Mohs, with no prominent cleavage. The photo shows a rounded, weathered specimen; its colors are muted and identification is provisional.

Identified October 4, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Unakite (weathered pebble) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when granite undergoes hydrothermal alteration or low-grade metamorphism, converting feldspar to epidote; commonly associated with old crystalline mountain belts, including Appalachian exposures. The rock may be Precambrian, though age varies by locality.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative stone, polished cabochons, beads, carvings, and landscaping material; attractive pieces are collected.

Geological facts

The name comes from the Unaka Mountains of the southeastern United States, where it was first described.

Field identification & locations

Look for intergrown pistachio-green epidote and salmon-pink feldspar, often with quartz; commonly found as rounded stream or beach pebbles near unakite-bearing bedrock. A photo alone cannot confirm the mineral composition.