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 not see "Amethyst" in the dark. When the battery opened fire, the fire was directed at the "Kiang Lin Liberation" which was sunk by the gun fire, with heavy civilian casualties. At 0500 hours on 31 July, "Amethyst" approached the PLA forts at Par Shan (Baoshan) and Woosung (Wusong) which had their searchlights sweeping the river. At 0525 a planned meeting with the destroyer took place, at which point "Amethyst" sent the signal "Have rejoined the fleet south of Woosung. No damage. No casualties. God save the King". "Concord" had been ordered to prepare to provide gun support to "Amethyst"