Unakite Meaning: Metaphysical Properties & Uses

Unakite is a mottled pink and green stone, a type of granite made of pink feldspar, green epidote and clear quartz, named for the Unaka Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee where it was first found. In crystal practice it is the stone of vision and of balance between the emotions and the spirit, traditionally linked with the Heart and Third Eye chakras. Here is what unakite is, what it means, how to use it, and how to care for it.

What Is Unakite?

Unakite is an altered granite. Its pink patches are orthoclase feldspar, its green is epidote, and the clear to grey grains between them are quartz. Where the green dominates the stone is called epidote-rich unakite; where the pink dominates it is called feldspar-rich. It is sometimes sold as "unakite jasper," but it is not a jasper; jasper is quartz through and through, while unakite is a 3-mineral rock. At 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale it is hard enough for daily wear, takes a good polish, and is usually sold untreated.

Unakite was first described in 1874 from the Unaka range on the North Carolina and Tennessee border, and good material still comes from the southern Appalachians, including Virginia, where it is found in river gravels. It is also mined in South Africa, Brazil, China and Sierra Leone. Its calm, earthy color combination keeps it popular with bead designers today.

Unakite Meaning

Unakite is recognized as a stone of vision, and it is said to balance the emotions with spirituality. Its 2 colors are read as the reason: green for the heart and growth, pink for love and gentleness, held together in one stone. In metaphysical belief it is a patient stone, linked with slow, steady change rather than dramatic shifts, and many people choose it as a companion during a period of rebuilding.

Metaphysical Properties and Uses

Scrying and guidance. Unakite is often used for scrying, since it is said to show the seeker where compromise and integration are needed. One traditional method is to keep it in a bag with other tumbled stones or beads, such as agate, red jasper, clear quartz and tiger's eye, and use them in a grid or mandala when seeking answers to a specific question: either draw one stone for guidance or cast them all onto a scrying wheel. Frame the question as clearly as you can, then sit with the stones and let any signs or messages arrive in their own time.

Clearing a space. Unakite is believed to bring a calm, gentle energy into a room, and a bowl of tumbled unakite on a desk or shelf is a popular way to enjoy its soft pink and green.

Unakite Lore and Traditional Beliefs

Unakite is traditionally seen as a stone of nourishment for the spirit. Whether a difficulty is present or has roots in the past, it is said to bring blocked or negative energy to the surface so it can be dealt with in a positive way.

In crystal practice, unakite is used in meditations on past lives, shamanic journeys and rebirthing. It is said to help us reach wisdom we did not know we had, whether from intuition or from the experience of our ancestors, and to bring insight and "knowing" into the light. It is also traditionally associated with letting go of outworn patterns of thought and behavior and of old conditioning that still holds us back.

Unakite and the Chakras

Third Eye. Placed on the Third Eye chakra, unakite is said to open you to events from past lives that have relevance now. It activates and stimulates the Third Eye so you can see your way forward more clearly.

Heart. Unakite is also linked with the Heart chakra and is traditionally seen as a comforting stone, a symbol of hope and optimism after a difficult time. Its green-and-pink pairing is why it so often appears in heart chakra sets alongside rose quartz and green aventurine; see The 7 Chakra Stones in Order.

How to Use Unakite

Wear it. A bracelet or mala of unakite beads keeps its patient, steadying energy with you through the day. Its muted pink and green pair well with rose quartz, green aventurine, moss agate, wood and copper, and with the earthy browns of picture jasper.

Keep it close in seasons of change. Unakite is a slow stone in metaphysical belief. Many people keep a piece on the nightstand or in a pocket during a time of grief or change, as a quiet reminder to be patient with themselves.

Meditate with it. Hold one piece at the Heart and, if you like, a second at the Third Eye, and breathe slowly. Ask what needs to be integrated, and wait.

Caring for Unakite Beads

Unakite is easy to care for. Wipe it with a soft cloth and warm water and dry it. It is not sensitive to water or light and is usually sold untreated, so its natural color is stable. Store it away from harder stones such as quartz that could scratch it over time, though at 6 to 7 it is tougher than many beads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unakite good for?

In metaphysical belief, unakite is associated with emotional balance, patience, vision and letting go of old patterns. Many people choose it as a symbol of slow, steady growth and of seeing clearly where they are going.

Which chakra is unakite associated with?

The Heart chakra first, for its green and pink, and the Third Eye for vision and insight.

Is unakite a jasper?

No. It is sometimes sold as unakite jasper, but it is a granite made of feldspar, epidote and quartz, not a form of chalcedony.

Where does unakite come from?

Originally the Unaka Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. It is also found in Virginia, South Africa, Brazil, China and Sierra Leone.

Can unakite go in water?

Yes. A rinse in plain water is fine, and it will not fade. Dry it afterward and avoid long soaks, which are unnecessary for any bead.

Shop Unakite Beads

Our unakite beads come in smooth and matte rounds and rondelles. If you enjoyed this guide, you may also like Rhodonite Meaning, Properties and Uses and Best Crystals for Self Love, Confidence and Courage.

These are traditional beliefs, not claims of physical effect. Crystals are not a substitute for medical care.