A rock, not a mineral

Unakite is a metamorphic rock, not a single species. It’s essentially granitic material in which calcium‑rich feldspar has been altered to epidote, leaving orthoclase (pink) and quartz (clear/grey) in a patchwork.

Where the name comes from

Named after the Unaka Mountains of the Blue Ridge (USA), where this pink‑and‑green stone is abundant in stream beds and outcrops. The look is so distinctive that “unakite” has become a lapidary staple worldwide.

Start with granite

Begin with ordinary granite—quartz, orthoclase, and plagioclase feldspar, with a sprinkle of dark minerals.

Add fluids & gentle heat

During low‑grade metamorphism or fluid flow, calcium‑rich plagioclase reacts with hot, slightly saline waters. Calcium, aluminum, iron, and silica reorganize into epidote, turning portions of the rock pistachio‑green.

Patchwork complete

The remaining orthoclase stays pink, quartz remains clear to grey, and new epidote paints the rest green. The degree of alteration sets the final pattern—from soft mossy clouds to bold watermelon blocks.

Palette

• Rose to salmon — orthoclase feldspar patches.
• Pistachio green — epidote streaks and masses.
• Fog‑grey — quartz interstices and veins.
• Inky dots — minor magnetite/biotite specks.

Unakite ranges from boldly blotchy to softly mottled. The nicest cabochons balance color in big, readable shapes.

Pattern words

• Watermelon — big pink “rinds” with green “flesh.”
• Moss & blossom — green epidote clouds around pink feldspar “blooms.”
• Ribboned — weak planar bands from stretched grains.
• Pebble‑mix — brecciated and healed fragments (great for statement cabs).

Photo tip: Use broad, diffused light for honest color, plus a small side light to pick up quartz sparkle without washing the pinks.

Three‑color mosaic

At 10× you’ll see interlocking grains: glassy quartz (no cleavage), pink feldspar with micro‑cleavage flashes, and pistachio epidote with a finer, fibrous look.

Boundaries & veins

Quartz commonly fills narrow healed cracks. Epidote may form feathery halos along old grain edges—nice texture for macro photos.

Polish behavior

Because constituents differ slightly in hardness, rushed polishing can create orange‑peel texture. A careful pre‑polish keeps the dome glassy and even.

Rhyolite (“rainforest jasper”)

Can be green with pinks/browns, but textures are finer and flow‑banded, not blocky granite‑like patches.

Epidote rock

All‑green to olive, lacking the pink feldspar contrast. Often more fibrous/granular overall.

Granite & granodiorite

Pink feldspar + quartz but typically with black hornblende/biotite instead of green epidote—overall palette reads pink/black/grey, not pink/green.

“Unakite jasper”

A common trade name. The look may match, but remember jasper is microcrystalline quartz; unakite is a coarse‑grained rock. The loupe tells the truth.

Ruby‑in‑zoisite

Green with pink spots, but the pink is ruby (crimson, often corundum hexagons) and the green is zoisite. Very different hardness/feel.

Quick checklist

• Distinct, blocky pink + green + grey patches?
• Green mineral shows fibrous/columnar epidote texture?
• Quartz visible between grains? → Likely unakite.

Where it shines

Classic occurrences are in the Blue Ridge of the eastern United States (Unaka Range, Shenandoah region). Unakite also turns up in glacial gravels around the Great Lakes (well‑known beach pebbles), and in metamorphic belts worldwide wherever granite has been epidotized.

What people make

Cabochons, beads, spheres, carvings, bookends, and tumbled stones. In architecture it appears as decorative facing stone and interior accents—its upbeat palette lifts neutral spaces effortlessly.

Everyday care

• Clean with lukewarm water + mild soap; soft brush; rinse and dry well.
• Avoid harsh acids/bleach; they don’t help and may etch or weaken micro‑veins.
• Store separately from top‑hardness gems to keep the polish crisp.

Jewelry guidance

• Great for pendants, earrings, beads, statement rings. Bezel or half‑bezel settings protect edges.
• Pairs beautifully with copper and warm brass; steel/silver gives a garden‑fresh contrast.
• Open backs are fine—just keep dust away to preserve that glassy dome.

On the wheel

• Shape with fresh belts/wheels; don’t skip grits—mixed hardness demands a thorough pre‑polish (600→1200→3k).
• Finish with alumina or cerium on firm leather/felt. Light pressure avoids undercutting epidote lanes.
• Consider stabilizing very fractured pieces; disclose any resins used.

Three‑mineral hunt

Give visitors a loupe and challenge them to find quartz (glassy), feldspar (pink with micro‑cleavage), and epidote (pistachio‑green). It’s geology bingo in one stone.

Polarized surprise (optional)

Place a thin flake or polished slice between two crossed polarized films and rotate—different minerals blink at different angles, a playful glimpse of optical anisotropy.