metamorphic
Unakite
Epidotized Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and gray (quartz); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic/Triclinic/Hexagonal mix; Specific Gravity: 2.85-3.20
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled green (epidote), pink (orthoclase), and gray (quartz); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic/Triclinic/Hexagonal mix; Specific Gravity: 2.85-3.20
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism of granite, where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote. Usually Precambrian or Paleozoic in age, occurring in orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a lapidary stone for beads, cabochons, carvings, and decorative architectural stone. It is also a popular healing crystal.
Geological facts
Unakite was first discovered in the Unaka Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, USA, from which it takes its name. It is the state rock of Virginia.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive 'pistachio and salmon' color combination. Look for it in riverbeds downstream from granitic metamorphic terrains, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains and Lake Superior shoreline.
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