Unakite

The fair toughness of unakite arises from its mineral composition, encompassing diverse minerals like orthoclase feldspar and epidote, which exhibit perfect cleavage, thereby creating potential weak points susceptible to damage upon impact.

Unakite's composition allows it to resist most daily use conditions such as water immersion, sunlight, dryness, and common stains. However, caution is advised with heat and harsh chemicals.

In some of the Blue Ridge occurrences, an epidotized augen gneiss is present exhibiting foliation structures. The dominant green epidote in unakite rocks is the metasomatic alteration product of plagioclase feldspar, while the orthoclase and quartz crystals remain unaffected.

Unakite is part of the granite family and shares similar uses. As a slab, it is used for tiles and trim, perhaps most notably at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The stone is also used as an aggregate in construction. Its attractive colors and low cost make this semi-precious stone popular with craft jewelers, often as beads or cabochons.

Unakite can be found as pebbles and cobbles from glacial drift in the beach rock on the shores of Lake Superior. It also occurs in Virginia where it is found in the river valleys after having been washed down from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unakite is not limited to the United States, and has also been reported in South Africa, Sierra Leone, Brazil, China and Australia Some material labeled unakite lacks the feldspar and is more properly called epidosite, and is also used as beads and cabochons.

Unakite activates the Third Eye chakra to stimulate psychic abilities and manifestation. When a small piece is placed under one's pillow, it is believed to aid in restless sleep, as its positive vibrations offer calming energy that encourages relaxation. It is also thought to balance the emotions and help to relieve stress.