Unakite Gemstone Beads

Frequently asked questions

• What is unakite made of?

  Unakite is a granitic rock — an altered granite composed primarily of pink orthoclase feldspar and green epidote, with clear-to-milky quartz as a third component in varying proportions. The intergrowth of these three minerals produces the characteristic pink-and-green speckled appearance. Each bead is a cross-section of that intergrowth, and the proportion of pink to green varies bead to bead.
• Is unakite a jasper?

  No. Unakite is sometimes traded as "unakite jasper," but the label is a misnomer. Jasper is microcrystalline quartz colored by mineral inclusions; unakite is a granitic composite rock in which the colors come from distinct mineral grains (feldspar for the pink, epidote for the green) intergrown with quartz. The two stones are mineralogically different. Dakota carries the stone under its correct name, unakite.
• Where does unakite come from?

  The variety was first identified in the Unaka mountains of western North Carolina, which gave the stone its name. Current commercial material is sourced from several deposits — North Carolina and Virginia in the United States, South Africa, China, Zimbabwe, and Brazil among the most common. The visual character is broadly consistent across deposits. Origin should be disclosed where the supplier has disclosed it — ask before buying if it isn't specified.
• Is unakite dyed?

  No. Unakite is sold natural across the trade, and every active unakite strand in Dakota's catalog is untreated. The pink-and-green palette is intrinsic — the pink is orthoclase feldspar, the green is epidote, and the matrix is quartz. There is no dye involved in producing the characteristic colors.
• How durable is unakite for daily wear?

  Mohs approximately 6–7, varying with the proportion of quartz to feldspar in any given bead. Durable enough for any jewelry application including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings; suitable for occasional ring wear. Standard care: wipe with a soft cloth and mild soap. As an untreated stone, there is no concern about dye fade or about ultrasonic or steam cleaning leaching pigment from the stone.