Unakite is an altered granite composed primarily of pink orthoclase, green epidote, and clear quartz. It is highly valued by rockhounders and lapidaries for its distinct mottled appearance and ability to take a high polish. It is typically found as pebbles in river beds or as massive boulders resulting from the hydrothermal alteration of granitic rocks.

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

metamorphiccommon

Unakite

Hardness: 6-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this unakite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch unakite with a known reference. Unakite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Unakite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Unakite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: green, pink, red.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: massive.

Often found alongside unakite

Minerals reported to co-occur with unakite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 2.8-3.2 g/cm³
Colors: Green Pink Red
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
Host rock: Altered Granite
Typical price: $5-50 for tumbled stones or small decorative carvings

Where rockhounds find unakite

24 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

USA (North Carolina, Virginia)
South Africa
Brazil
China

U.S. states with unakite

Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce unakite.

Field-hunting tip

Look in altered granite country — that is the host setting where unakite typically forms. If you start seeing epidote, orthoclase, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee — start trip planning there.

Browse 24 U.S. spots for unakite →

Common questions

How do you identify unakite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include green, pink, red.

Where is unakite found?+

Notable localities include USA (North Carolina, Virginia); South Africa; Brazil; China.

Can I find unakite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 24 unakite rockhounding spots across 6 U.S. states — the top states are Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee.

How much is unakite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 for tumbled stones or small decorative carvings. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What minerals are found with unakite?+

Unakite commonly co-occurs with Epidote, Orthoclase, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does unakite form in?+

Unakite typically forms in altered granite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is unakite used for?+

Unakite is used in lapidary, decorative, collector.

Find unakite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.