Where is Unakite found?
Unakite (Epidote, Orthoclase, Quartz)
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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, USA
The type locality where Unakite was first discovered and named.
Virginia, USA
Significant deposits are found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
South Africa
Known occurrences of unakite.
Sierra Leone
Reported occurrences of unakite.
Brazil
Deposits of unakite have been found.
China
Occurrences of unakite are known.
Collecting tips
- Geological Context. Look for unakite in areas known for granitic intrusions that have undergone regional metamorphism or hydrothermal alteration. Riverbeds and glacial till in such regions can also yield tumbled pieces.
- Color Recognition. The distinctive combination of green, pink/red, and grey/white is the primary visual identifier. The green is due to epidote, the pink/red to orthoclase, and the grey/white to quartz.
- Hardness Test. While a rock, the individual minerals have varying hardness. Quartz (7) and epidote (6-7) are harder than orthoclase (6). This can be felt when scratching with a steel file (hardness ~6.5).
- Associated Minerals. Unakite is a rock, so it's composed of minerals. You might find it alongside other metamorphic minerals or in proximity to the parent granitic rocks.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Mottled green, pink/red, and grey/white.
- Luster:
- Vitreous to sub-vitreous.
- Streak:
- White (for quartz and orthoclase), pale green (for epidote, though typically not tested on a rock).
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