Where is Unakite found?
Unakite (altered granite)
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Open the appUnakite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Unakite
Unaka Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee, USA
The type locality for Unakite, where it was first discovered and named. Found in the Appalachian Mountains.
Virginia, USA
Significant deposits are found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
South Africa
Occurrences reported in various regions.
Sierra Leone
Known localities for Unakite.
Brazil
Deposits found in certain granitic terrains.
China
Reported occurrences in several provinces.
Collecting tips
- Geological Maps. Consult geological maps of areas known for granitic intrusions and hydrothermal alteration. Look for regions with reported epidotization.
- Outcrop Examination. Examine outcrops in granitic terrains, particularly near fault zones, shear zones, or areas with evidence of hydrothermal activity (e.g., quartz veins, alteration halos).
- Riverbeds and Glacial Till. Unakite is quite durable, so it can be found as cobbles and pebbles in riverbeds and glacial till downstream from its source.
- Color Recognition. Train your eye to recognize the characteristic green, pink, and grey/white color combination. The green epidote is often the most distinctive component.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Mottled green, pink, and grey/white
- Luster:
- Vitreous to sub-vitreous
- Streak:
- White (for quartz and feldspar components); epidote streak is typically colorless to grayish-white
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