metamorphic
Unakite
Epidotized Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Mottled green, pink, and grey/white, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Monoclinic and Trigonal, Cleavage: None/Indistinct
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: Mottled green, pink, and grey/white, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Monoclinic and Trigonal, Cleavage: None/Indistinct
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal alteration of granite where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote. Usually occurs in metamorphic belts or as glacial pebbles.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as a lapidary stone for beads, cabochons, and small carvings. Used in landscaping and occasionally as an architectural facade.
Geological facts
Named after the Unaka Range in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, where it was first discovered.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the distinct mottled combination of pistachio-green epidote and salmon-pink orthoclase feldspar. Frequently found as river pebbles in areas of former glacial activity.
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