Amethyst is not primarily defined by carat weight; this is different to most gemstones where the carat weight exponentially increases the value of the stone. The biggest factor in the value of amethyst is the color displayed. The highest grade amethyst (called "Deep Russian") is exceptionally rare and therefore, when one is found, its value is dependent on the demand of collectors. It is, however, still orders of magnitude lower than the highest grade sapphires or rubies (padparadscha sapphire or "pigeon's blood" ruby). Amethyst Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Koine Greek ἀμέθυστος "amethystos" from
HMS Amethyst (1799) of York to the Netherlands and later participated in the evacuation of the force following the campaign's collapse. On 18 December she and recaptured the brig "Jenny". Eleven days after that, "Amethyst" and "Beaulieu" recaptured the ships "Dauphin", "Cato", "Cabrus", and "Nymphe". On 29 December "Amethyst" captured the French privateer brig "Aventurier" (or "Avanture"). "Aventurier", out of Lorient, was armed with 14 guns and had a crew of 75 men. One month earlier, on 29 November, "Aventurier" had captured the American ship "Cato" and taken her master, John Parker, and his crew prisoner. When "Amethyst" captured "Aventurier" Cooke freed the