This rock was first discovered in the United States in the Unakas mountains of North Carolina. Unakite is an altered form of granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and quartz. The green epidote can vary in its shade of green, as can the pink feldspar. Usually the colors combine to create a mottled appearance. In some cases, when the colors are especially pronounced, unakite is considered a semiprecious stone and can take a good polish. Since it does polish well, unakite is often used to make jewelry and other trinkets.
Unakite can be found as pebbles and cobbles from glacial drift in the beach rock on the shores of Lake Superior, and sometimes Lake Michigan. It also has been found in Virginia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Switzerland, and China.
Unakite derives its name from the Greek epidosis, meaning “growing together”. This stone can be used to draw off negative energy, therefore lifting your spirits. It is also used to help you to see and appreciate the beauty of life and to help you overcome challenges and negative experiences – especially those that drain your energy and try to hold you back.
CITES:
8 years later… I’ve found quite a few pieces of Unikite this season between North Beach and Zoo Beach in Racine WI.
It’s as if Spirit guides me to each piece. I have several large pieces as well as many smaller.
I love this stone!