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 and unwounded men who had been sent ashore. He assumed command of the ship that day. During the next few days "Amethyst" moved several times, but each time she got under way the batteries opened fire at her and the ship was forced to anchor, finally finishing up off Fu Te Wei. On 21 April a signal was received: ""HM ships" London "and" Black Swan "are moving up river to escort the" Amethyst "down stream. Be ready to move."" The cruiser and the frigate (ex-sloop and "Amethyst"s sister ship) were heavily shelled as they attempted to help "Amethyst" and retreated