 | This article includes alist of references,related reading, orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations. Please helpimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Metamorphic rock rock | |
 Tumble polished unakite pebbles | |
| Composition | |
|---|---|
| Orthoclase feldspar,epidote,quartz | |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Fabric | Mottled |
| Relationships | |
| Protoliths | Granite |
Unakite is ametamorphic rock that is alteredgranite composed of pinkorthoclase feldspar, greenepidote, and generally colorlessquartz.
It was first found in theUnited States in theUnaka mountain range ofNorth Carolina from which it gets its name. Unakite exists in various shades of green and pink and is usually mottled in appearance.
A good quality unakite is considered asemiprecious stone; it will take a good polish and is often used injewelry as beads orcabochons and otherlapidary work such as eggs, spheres and animal carvings. It is also referred to as epidotized or epidote granite.
In some of theBlue Ridge Mountains occurrences, an epidotizedaugengneiss is present exhibitingfoliation structures.
The dominant green epidote in unakite rocks is themetasomatic alteration product ofplagioclase feldspar, while the orthoclase and quartz crystals remain unaffected.
Unakite can be found as pebbles and cobbles fromglacial drift all across the US Midwest. It also occurs inVirginia where it is found in the river valleys after having been washed down from theBlue Ridge Mountains. First found in the United States, unakite has a worldwide distribution, having also been reported inSouth Africa,Sierra Leone,Brazil,China,India andAustralia.
Some material labeledunakite lacks the feldspar and is more properly calledepidosite, and is also used as beads andcabochons.
