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
Amethyst Incident drawing the attention of PLA snipers. By the time the shelling stopped at about 11:00, 22 men had been killed and 31 wounded in all. "Amethyst" had received over 50 hits and holes below the waterline were plugged with hammocks and bedding. During this time the destroyer "Consort" was sighted, flying seven White Ensigns and three Union flags, steaming down from Nanking at 29 knots. Admiral Madden, the Flag Officer, second in command, Far East Station, ordered the destroyer HMS "Consort" (Commander Robertson) to go from Nanking to the "Amethyst"'s assistance, and ordered the frigate "Black Swan" (Captain Jay) to