Amethyst of synthetic quartz is used. Treated amethyst is produced by gamma ray, X-ray or electron beam irradiation of clear quartz (rock crystal) which has been first doped with ferric impurities. On exposure to heat, the irradiation effects can be partially cancelled and amethyst generally becomes yellow or even green, and much of the citrine, cairngorm, or yellow quartz of jewelry is said to be merely "burnt amethyst". The Greek word "amethystos" may be translated as "not drunken", from Greek "a-", "not" + "methustos", "intoxicated". Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were
HMS Amethyst (1799) American ship attempting to dock in a French port. This may have been "Caroline", captured on 14 April. In early June Cooke met up with Captain Sir Edward Pellew's squadron at Quiberon Bay. The squadron engaged in a successful large scale raid on Morbihan, though "Amethyst"s role, if any, is unclear. "Amethyst" was among the vessels of a squadron that shared the proceeds for the recapture on 28 June 1800 of "Lancaster". She was also part of Pellew's squadron, which shared in the proceeds of the capture of "Vigilant", "Menais", "Insolent", "Ann", and the wreck of a vessel that was