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
HMS Amethyst (1799) company with , captured "Agnela". On 30 July "Amethyst" captured the "Ebenezer", and then on 1 August "Amethyst" captured "Juno". In December "Amethyst" participated in the pursuit of a French squadron under Admiral Willaumez. In November 1805 "Amethyst" encountered the brig-sloop off the coast of Madeira. After a series of ambiguous and misinterpreted moves by the other, the two captains mistook each other for enemies and opened fire. Both vessels survived and the two captains proceeded to exchange mutually recriminatory letters. "Amethyst" was among the vessels that shared in the proceeds of the capture, on 25 July 1805, of the