metamorphic
Unakite
Unakite Epidosite
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Mottled green (epidote) and pink (orthoclase feldspar); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: None/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.85-3.20
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Mottled green (epidote) and pink (orthoclase feldspar)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Mottled green (epidote) and pink (orthoclase feldspar); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: None/Indistinct; 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.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as a decorative stone, for cabochons in jewelry, carvings, and tumbled stones for lapidary enthusiasts.
Geological facts
Named after the Unaka Range in North Carolina, USA, where it was first discovered. It is often considered the state rock of Virginia.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the distinct 'pistachio green' and 'salmon pink' mottling. Found in riverbeds as water-worn pebbles in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Superior shores.
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