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) kept "Amethyst" from joining the action. The British brought "Dédaigneuse" into Royal Navy service as HMS "Dedaigneuse". Later on 28 January "Sirius" and "Amethyst" captured the Spanish Letter of Marque "Charlotta" (or "Carlotta") of Ferol, 16 hours out of Ferol on her way to Curaçao. The capture took place about six or seven leagues from Cape Belem in Galicia. The hired armed cutter "Earl St Vincent" shared in the capture. The next day captured the Spanish privateer "Intrepido Cid". "Amethyst" and "Sirius" shared in the prize money by agreement. On 16 March, "Amethyst" encountered and captured "Nostra Signora del Carmen",