Gem Profile- Unakite

by Judy Ellis

Unakite (pronounced you-na-kite) is a beautiful green and salmon-pink metamorphic stone. Unakite is an altered form of granite, classified as an Epidote. Epidote is crystallized in a monoclinic system, and has a yellow-green in color. Unakite mixes that green epidote with pink orthoclase feldspar and colorless quartz, giving it the mottled or speckled appearance. Epidote comes from the Greek epidosis, or "growing together." What perfect way to describe Unakite!

Metamorphic rocks are some of my favorites. I think I've said that about another type of rock before.

I like them because they start as one thing and end up as something completely different.

Pictured: Argentium wire-wrapped sea glass pendant with unakite beads by Bryan Cook.

The pale sea glass is from Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Unakite Heart Pendant by Joan Madouse, wrapped in copper wire with ivory seed beads and antique brown spacer beads.

How Unakite Forms

In the case of Unakite, sand and rock were flooded by lava, which transformed them into granite through contact.

Over time, geothermic water dissolved the iron and changed some of the feldspar to epidote, giving the green color.

The salmon pink is potassium feldspar, interspersed with quartz.

What started as sand and boulders ended up as an epidote called Unakite. Isn't metamorphosis fun!

Gina Smith created this Unakite necklace for her mother, featuring a Unakite cabochon and beads, Swarovski crystals, and copper wire with a handmade Viking knit chain.

How Unakite got its Name

So, how did Unakite get its name? It was first found near the Unaka Mountains of North Carolina and is common in the Blue Ridge Mountains, appearing in road cuts, streams, and rubble piles.

You might find Unakite in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It's also present in Shenandoah National Park and as far north as the Great Lakes. Deposits have been found in South Africa, China, Brazil, and Canada.

Unakite is easy to identify because it is nearly the only rock that is both green and pink. It has a hardness of 6-7 and is generally used for cabochons and beads.

Unakite has perfect cleavage in one direction, so it does not facet well.

Karen McCoun wrapped this lovely Unakite wire pendant.

Unakite Metaphysical Properties

Unakite is used to bring positive feelings, build self-confidence and helps you take power over your own life.

It also helps to focus your mind on the good and beautiful things in life helping to uncover deceit and can help you to transform fear and anger to compassion and love.

If you're expecting a baby, wearing unakite is said to promote healthy grown of the infant and protect the mother and baby from harm.

Bryan Cook wrapped this Unakite and brown sea glass pendant in Argentium silver wire. The sea glass is from Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Go find it!

Road Trip! Because Unakite is found in and around the Shenandoah National Forest and Blue Ridge Mountains, there are plenty of opportunities to rock hound, camp, hike, fish, and enjoy nature.

Unakite is still mined near Rockbridge, Virginia, close to Vesuvius.

Check with the local USGS office for a topographic map, and always come prepared with water and eye protection.

Make sure not to collect Unakite from any staked claims. Better yet, visit a rock shop and then enjoy camping or fishing in the beautiful mountains!

Gem Profile- Unakite

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