Amethyst is not primarily defined by carat weight; this is different to most gemstones where the carat weight exponentially increases the value of the stone. The biggest factor in the value of amethyst is the color displayed. The highest grade amethyst (called "Deep Russian") is exceptionally rare and therefore, when one is found, its value is dependent on the demand of collectors. It is, however, still orders of magnitude lower than the highest grade sapphires or rubies (padparadscha sapphire or "pigeon's blood" ruby). Amethyst Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Koine Greek ἀμέθυστος "amethystos" from
HMS Amethyst (1799) days. Still, the ship was too badly damaged to salvage and by 10 March wave action had broken up the hull. The subsequent court martial found Walton and Robert Owen, the master, negligent and reprimanded both for allowing "Amethyst" to be anchored so close to shore with only one anchor. The court also barred Owen for a year from serving in anything larger than a sixth rate. Notes Citations References HMS Amethyst (1799) HMS "Amethyst" was a Royal Navy 36-gun "Penelope"-class fifth-rate frigate, launched in 1799 at Deptford. "Amethyst" served in the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, capturing