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
Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld was left on Earth as an infant. This name, however, was then in use by another DC teen hero, Beast Boy. Dan Mishkin decided on "Amethyst" as a replacement, which in turn inspired the jewel-themed naming of other characters in the series and the nature of Gemworld as a whole. Amethyst first appeared as a special insert in "The Legion of Super-Heroes" #298 (April 1983). Her original story began shortly afterward in the twelve-issue "Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld" limited series in 1983, written and created by Dan Mishkin and Gary Cohn with Ernie Colón as the artist. The initial 12-issue