metamorphic

Unakite

Altered Granite (Epidotized Granite)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 6 to 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink/red (orthoclase feldspar) and mottled green (epidote), with minor quartz; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic and triclinic mineral grains; Cleavage: Variable depending on constituent minerals

Hardness: 6 to 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified July 25, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the hydrothermal metamorphism (metasomatism) of granite, where plagioclase feldspar is altered by epidote, while orthoclase feldspar and quartz remain intact.

Uses & applications

Popular as a lapidary material for cabochons, beads, carvings, decorative tiles, and tumbled gemstones for collectors.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive salmon-pink and dull pistachio-green mottled appearance. Commonly found in stream beds and beaches, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Lakes region.