Amethyst Amethyst Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Koine Greek ἀμέθυστος "amethystos" from ἀ- "a-", "not" and μεθύσκω "methysko" / μεθύω "methyo", "intoxicate", a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. The ancient Greeks wore amethyst and carved drinking vessels from it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. Amethyst is a semiprecious stone often used in jewelry and is the traditional birthstone for February. Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO) and owes its violet color to irradiation, iron impurities (in some cases in conjunction with transition
SS Empire Amethyst The crew of "Empire Amethyst" are commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. "Empire Amethyst" had the UK official number 164848 and used the Code Letters BCPL. SS Empire Amethyst Empire Amethyst was an 8,032 ton tanker which was built in 1941. She was torpedoed and sunk by on 13 April 1942. "Empire Amethyst" was built by the Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees as yard number 330. She was launched on 8 July 1941 and completed in December 1941. "Empire Amethyst" was built for the Ministry of War Transport and operated under