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) 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