Characteristics of Epidote:

Chemical Name: Calcium aluminum ferro silicate

Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) 

Colors: Pistachio, mottled pink and green (unakite)

Structure: Monoclinic

Hardness: 6-7

Specific Gravity: 3.3-3.5

Refractive Index: 1.73-1.77

Lustre: Vitreous

Streak: Colorless or greyish

Locations: Myanmar, France, Norway, Peru, USA, Pakistan

What is Epidote? 

Although Epidote is widespread and abundant in metamorphic and granitic rocks, it is less well known as a gemstone. It frequently forms well-developed, transparent crystals that are strongly pleochroic, usually varying in shades of green when viewed from different angles. This requires the cutter to take the orientation of an Epidote crystal into consideration when faceting it. it is a fairly fragile mineral with a distinct cleavage, so faceted stones are unsuitable to be made into jewelry and are cut only for collectors.

Unakite is an altered granite made up of pink orthoclase feldspar, green Epidote, and generally colorless quartz. It is also referred to as Epidotized or Epidote granite. Found in various shades of green and pink, it is usually mottled in appearances. It takes a good polish and is thus used as bead or cabochons, and as eggs, spheres, and animal carvings. Some material called Unakite lacks the feldspar and is called Epidosite; this is also used as bead and cabochons.