Amethyst Amethyst Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Koine Greek ἀμέθυστος "amethystos" from ἀ- "a-", "not" and μεθύσκω "methysko" / μεθύω "methyo", "intoxicate", a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. The ancient Greeks wore amethyst and carved drinking vessels from it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. Amethyst is a semiprecious stone often used in jewelry and is the traditional birthstone for February. Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO) and owes its violet color to irradiation, iron impurities (in some cases in conjunction with transition
SS Empire Amethyst to lose her pursuer at 00:24 on 13 April by making a sharp turn. At 01:27 hrs, Kölle ordered his engines stopped to try to ascertain where "Empire Amethyst" was. Kölle decided to head in the direction that "Empire Amethyst" was generally heading and by 04:30 had found her again. At 05:52, Kölle aimed the first of two torpedoes at "Empire Amethyst", which hit under the bridge. The second exploded forward of the engine room and she exploded in a mass of flames that were visible from away. "Empire Amethyst" sank with the loss of all 47 crew at .