Unakite has a surprising range of uses: it is made into crushed stone used in highway construction, and it is cut and polished for use as a gem. Few rocks have such a diversity of uses. The uses of unakite are summarized below.

Gem and Jewelry Use

Unakite is often cut into cabochons, beads, and other shapes that will be used in jewelry. Although it is not seen in fine jewelry, unakite is a very popular gemstone in craft and lapidary jewelry. It is most often seen mounted in sterling silver, strung as beads, or wire-wrapped and used as pendant stones. If you are interested in obtaining unakite jewelry, the best places to look are rock shops, new age and crystal stores, or gem and mineral shows.

Lapidary Use

The pink and green colors of unakite make it a popular material for making small sculptures, spheres, vases, desk sets, and other lapidary projects. Unakite is also a popular material for use in rock tumbling. The pink and green colors make eye-catching tumbled stones.

Architectural Stone

Unakite is sometimes used as an architectural and decorative stone. Unakite can be cut into flooring tiles, facing stone, stair treads, window sills, and ashlars. Its most prominent use might be at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. There it is used as a trimming to the front steps and as floor tiles on a landing at the south entrance.

Construction Material

Unakite has also been used as a construction aggregate. Crushed stone made from unakite has been used for road base, drainage stone, unpaved road surfacing, fill, and many other uses.