metamorphic
Unakite
Altered Granite (Epidote-Feldspar-Quartz)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 6 to 7, displaying distinctive mottled pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and clear quartz with a vitreous to greasy luster.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 6 to 7, displaying distinctive mottled pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and clear quartz with a vitreous to greasy luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed through hydrothermal alteration and metamorphism of granite, typically occurring over hundreds of millions of years in orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary work, cabochons, carved decorative objects, and as a polished gemstone for metaphysical collecting.
Geological facts
First discovered in the Unaka Mountains of North Carolina, it is essentially a granitic rock where the plagioclase feldspar has been replaced by epidote.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its unique, vivid combination of salmon-pink and pistachio-green colors; commonly found in glacial drift and stream pebbles derived from granite regions.
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