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 Incident drawing the attention of PLA snipers. By the time the shelling stopped at about 11:00, 22 men had been killed and 31 wounded in all. "Amethyst" had received over 50 hits and holes below the waterline were plugged with hammocks and bedding. During this time the destroyer "Consort" was sighted, flying seven White Ensigns and three Union flags, steaming down from Nanking at 29 knots. Admiral Madden, the Flag Officer, second in command, Far East Station, ordered the destroyer HMS "Consort" (Commander Robertson) to go from Nanking to the "Amethyst"'s assistance, and ordered the frigate "Black Swan" (Captain Jay) to