metamorphic
Unakite
Epidote–K-feldspar–quartz granitoid (often called unakite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPink salmon-colored feldspar, pistachio-green epidote, and gray-white quartz form a mottled, granular texture; Mohs hardness about 6–7, vitreous to dull luster, no prominent cleavage as a rock, and specific gravity roughly 2.6–2.9.
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Physical properties
Pink salmon-colored feldspar, pistachio-green epidote, and gray-white quartz form a mottled, granular texture; Mohs hardness about 6–7, vitreous to dull luster, no prominent cleavage as a rock, and specific gravity roughly 2.6–2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed when granite underwent hydrothermal alteration and metamorphism, replacing dark minerals with epidote while preserving feldspar and quartz. It is generally Paleozoic to Precambrian in source terrains, though its exact age depends on locality.
Uses & applications
Commonly cut and polished for cabochons, beads, spheres, carvings, and decorative stone; occasionally used as facing or aggregate, but it is primarily a lapidary and collector material.
Geological facts
The distinctive pink-and-green pattern makes unakite relatively easy to recognize, though similar epidote-bearing granites occur widely. The name comes from the Unaka Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its coarse pink-green-gray mottling and relatively hard, durable surface; a scratch test, acid test, and examination of interlocking grains help distinguish it from dyed stone. Common localities include the Unaka Mountains, Virginia, Brazil, South Africa, and China.
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