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 brig "Rising Sun". On 10 March 1808 "Amethyst" captured the Spanish brig "Vigilantie". Eleven days later "Amethyst" recaptured the Portuguese schooner "Inseperavil Unio". On 3 May "Amethyst" and captured the French sloop "Actif". Sixteen days later, "Amethyst", "Conflict", and were in company when they captured the French schooner "Annais". The next month, on 10 June, "Amethyst" and "Conflict" captured the Spanish schooner "Carmelita". Fourteen days later, "Amethyst" captured the American brig "Sally Tracey". Then "Amethyst" was again in company with "Growler" when they captured "St. Etienne", "Maria Julia", and six chasse marees on 9 July. Lastly, on 17 September