Unakite is a metamorphic rock that is altered granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and generally colorless quartz.

In some of the Blue Ridge Mountains 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.

First found in the United States, unakite has a worldwide distribution, having also been reported in South Africa, Sierra Leone, Brazil, China, India and Australia.

Some material labeled unakite lacks the feldspar and is more properly called epidosite, and is also used as beads and cabochons.