metamorphic
Unakite
Unakite (metasomatized granite)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Mottled green (epidote) and pink (orthoclase feldspar); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic (epidote) and Monoclinic/Triclinic (feldspar); 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 (epidote) and Monoclinic/Triclinic (feldspar); Specific Gravity: 2.85-3.20
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal alteration of granite where plagioclase feldspar is replaced by epidote. This metasomatic process typically occurs in deep-seated geological environments.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a lapidary stone for beads, cabochons, carvings, and architectural accents. It is also used in construction as a decorative crushed stone or for countertops.
Geological facts
Unakite was first discovered in the Unaka Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the United States, which is where it earned its name. It is the state rock of Virginia.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive pistachio-green and salmon-pink mottled appearance. It is commonly found in river beds as smooth pebbles or glacially deposited till in the eastern United States. Major deposits are in Virginia, North Carolina, South Africa, and Brazil.
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