JEWELRY
INSPIRATION
Unakite, a member of the altered granite family, is a fascinating stone primarily composed of orthoclase, which gives it its pink hue, epidote, responsible for its green coloration, and colorless quartz. Its formation results from metamorphic processes affecting granitic rocks, altering their mineralogical structure under the influence of hydrothermal fluids.
Its base color palette ranges from yellow-green to dark green, accented with pink to reddish spots. This striking color combination is due to the irregular distribution of its constituent minerals, giving each specimen a unique pattern. Its granular texture and the variable size of its crystals make every piece of unakite distinctive.
Unakite has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, providing relative resistance to scratches and good durability for jewelry and decorative objects. However, due to its composite structure, it can be more fragile than other stones of similar hardness, especially when subjected to impacts.
It is important to distinguish unakite from epidosites, similar rocks dominated by epidote and often mistaken for unakite. Unlike the latter, epidosites generally do not contain pink feldspar, which serves as a key distinguishing factor.
The name "unakite" is directly inspired by the Unaka Range, a mountain chain located in the state of North Carolina, USA. This region is renowned for its deposits of this unique stone, which was first discovered and studied there. However, significant deposits of unakite are also found in other parts of the world, including South Africa, Brazil, China, and Sierra Leone.
Mines: South Africha, Alaska, Austria, Burma, Brazil, China, the USA, France, Ireland, Mexico, Mozambique, Norway, Russaia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe.
Unakite was discovered in 1874 by M. Bradley, an American geologist, in the southern United States, specifically in the Unaka Range, the mountain chain that gave the stone its name. This discovery generated great interest in the fields of geology and mineralogy, as it revealed a stone with a unique composition and remarkable beauty. Since then, unakite has become a sought-after gemstone, valued both for its aesthetic appeal and its virtues in lithotherapy.
Although first identified in the United States, unakite has since been found in other parts of the world, including South Africa, Brazil, and China, where it is mined and worked for various applications.
By the early 20th century, unakite was being cut into cabochons and beads for jewelry making. Due to its durability and distinctive patterns, it was also used for sculpting decorative objects and even for architectural ornamentation, including in certain churches and monuments.
While unakite is not associated with ancient myths like some other gemstones, it has gained popularity in contemporary spiritual practices. Some consider it a stone of vision and balance, believed to enhance meditation and foster a connection with the past. It is also thought to harmonize energies and aid in emotional healing.
Please note that all healing properties presented for gemstones are gathered from various sources. This information is provided as a service and is not intended to treat medical conditions. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for serious medical issues and not to rely solely on gemstones as a treatment.
To learn more about litotherapy, we recommend you the following books: