Unakite

Unakite is a rock rather than a single mineral. It is an altered granite made up mainly of salmon-pink orthoclase feldspar, olive to pistachio-green epidote and colourless to milky quartz. It forms when hot fluids pass through granite and change some of its minerals into epidote, creating its distinctive mottled pink and green appearance.

Unakite at a glance

Unakite was first described in 1874 and named after the Unaka Range of the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee, USA, where it was first found. Fine unakite also comes from Virginia and other parts of the USA, and it is found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Brazil, China, Sierra Leone, Finland and Ireland.

Unakite takes a good polish and is affordable and durable, which makes it very popular for beads, cabochons, carvings, spheres and tumbled stones. It is generally untreated. Ruby fuchsite and ruby in zoisite are sometimes compared with it, but these are pink to red and green in a different way and are different stones.

Caring for unakite

Unakite is fairly hard (6 – 7 on the Mohs scale) and durable, making it suitable for everyday jewellery. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic and steam cleaners and high heat. Store it separately from harder gems to avoid scratches.

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Unakite Twisted Oblong Beads 20×10 mm , Strand

£11.05 – £77.35Price range: £11.05 through £77.35

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SKU:0848002-UNA

Unakite 6mm Round Beads, Strand

£3.60 – £25.20Price range: £3.60 through £25.20

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SKU:0851083-UNA

Unakite 10mm Round Beads, Strand

£5.60 – £39.20Price range: £5.60 through £39.20

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SKU:0851084-UNA

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In folklore

The beliefs below are traditional folklore, included for interest. They are not scientifically proven, and nothing here is medical advice.

Unakite was only named in 1874, so it has no ancient folklore, though it has become popular in modern crystal traditions as a stone of partnership and harmony between people. Its combination of pink and green colours is seen as uniting love and growth. Unakite is associated with the zodiac sign Scorpio.

Unakite is traditionally regarded as a stone of balance and vision. Crystal healing lore holds that it balances emotions with spirituality, helps the wearer let go of the past and supports healthy growth and recovery. It is also associated with pregnancy and the healthy development of babies. It is linked to the heart chakra.

Related stones

Epidote, orthoclase feldspar, granite, ruby in zoisite, ruby fuchsite and green aventurine. Stones that can look similar include Kambaba jasper, dyed jasper and pink and green dyed quartzite.

For the technically minded

← All gemstones in the guide