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
HMS Amethyst (1799) officers finally permitted the press gang from "Immortalite" to board, all they found on board were a few sickly sailors. Some seven months later, on 11 November 1803 "Amethyst" captured "Spes", H. L. Cornelia, master. Three days later, "Amethyst" captured "Johannes". That same day "Amethyst" captured "Irene", L. J. Lubbens, master. In June 1804, a court martial dismissed Campbell from command of "Amethyst" and stripped him of all his seniority on the Captain's List for misconduct in an action with four Dutch vessels off the coast of Norway. Command transferred to Captain John Spranger. On 24 July "Amethyst", while in