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
Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld limited series (identified by DC Comics as a "maxi-series") establishes Gemworld, Amethyst's identity, and introduces several of her recurring villains. The limited series was followed by a 1984 annual and a sixteen-issue ongoing series. The ongoing series was followed by the 1986 "Amethyst Special" one-shot and a four-issue limited series that ended the character's adventures (pencilled by Esteban Maroto). There was also a one-shot with Superman in "DC Comics Presents" #63 (Nov. 1983). The character re-emerged in 2005 after 18 years of sporadic appearances, in the "Infinite Crisis" mini-series. In June 2012 it was announced that Amethyst would make her