Unakite
Unakite crystal stone meaning, wrongly named jasper.
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Unakite meaning
The stone is not a jasper but an altered granite. The stone is composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, also green epidote, and generally colorless quartz.
It was first discovered in the United States. In the Unakas mountains of North Carolina from which it gets its name. The gemstone exists in various shades of green and pink. It is usually mottled in appearance.
A good quality unakite is considered a semiprecious stone. It will take a good polish. It is often used in jewelry as beads or cabochons. Other lapidary works such as eggs, also spheres and animal carvings. It is also referred as epidotized or epidote granite.
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.
Sources
It can be found as pebbles and also cobbles from glacial drift in the beach rock on the shores of Lake Superior. It also occurs in Virginia. It is found in the river valleys. After having been washed down from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sources are not limited to the United States. We also found it in South Africa, also in Sierra Leone, Brazil, and China.
Some material labeled unakite lacks the feldspar. It is more properly called epidosite. And It is also cut as beads and cabochons.
– Orthoclase, or orthoclase feldspar, is an important tectosilicate mineral. It is forms in igneous rock. The name is from the Ancient Greek for straight fracture. Because its two cleavage planes are at right angles to each other. It is a type of potassium feldspar, also known as K-feldspar. The gem known as moonstone is largely composed of orthoclase
– Epidote is a calcium aluminium iron sorosilicate mineral.
– Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms. In a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra. Each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra. It gives an overall chemical formula of SiO2. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth’s continental crust, behind feldspar.
Unakite meaning and healing properties benefits
The following section is pseudo scientific and based on cultural beliefs.
It is said to be a stone of vision, opening the third eye and useful for scrying. It is also believed to be a stone of balance, grounding the self while bringing emotions and spirituality together. Among crystal healing practitioners, The stone is used to support convalescence from illness.
FAQ
what is unakite good for?
It supports convalescence and recovery from major illness. It treats the reproductive system and stimulates healthy pregnancies while facilitating the health of the unborn child. The crystal enhances weight gain, where required and aids the growth of skin tissue and hair.
Where do you put unakite crystal ?
The green and pink of the stones is similar to the appearance of many growing plants, which have green leaves and pink flowers and fruit. Placing your crystal in the vicinity of growing plants places its energy at home.
How do you identify unakite stone?
An interesting igneous rock composed mainly of pink and green mineral grains. There are very few rocks made up almost entirely of orangy-pink and yellowish-green minerals, so, once you are familiar with the stone you should easily be able to identify it when you see it again.
How do you clean unakite?
As for washing and cleaning unakite jewelry, warm soapy water can usually do the trick, together with a soft cloth. Avoid toxic domestic detergents as they can damage the stone. It’s best to take off unakite jewelry when engaging in vigorous activities like swimming, gardening or playing sports.
What is unakite jasper made of?
It is not a jasper. the stone is an altered granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and generally colorless quartz.
Is unakite intrusive or extrusive?
An intrusive igneous rock comprised primarily of feldspar and quartz that has a long history of use as a building material.
Natural unakite for sale in our gem shop
We make custom made unakite jewelry as engagement rings, necklaces, stud earrings, bracelets, pendants… Please contact us for a quote.