metamorphic

Unakite

Unakite (Epidotized Granite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6 to 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled green and pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic and Trigonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific gravity: 2.85 to 3.20.

Hardness: 6 to 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Mottled green and pink
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified May 4, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6 to 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled green and pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic and Trigonal; Cleavage: Poor; Specific gravity: 2.85 to 3.20.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism of granite, where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote, while orthoclase feldspar and quartz remain.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a semiprecious gemstone for jewelry (beads, cabochons), carvings, and ornamental lapidary work.

Geological facts

Named after the Unaka Range in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina/Tennessee, USA, where it was first discovered and described.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive pistachio-green and salmon-pink mottled appearance. Found in riverbeds and as glacial drift, notably around the Great Lakes and the Appalachian Mountains.