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) 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