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 at Belfast to allow a crew member to be discharged through illness and a replacement to be taken on board. On reaching Freetown, "Empire Amethyst" sailed for New Orleans. In mid-April 1942, "Empire Amethyst" left New Orleans bound for Freetown carrying a cargo of 12,000 tons of motor spirit. Her intended route took her via the Lesser Antilles and then across the Atlantic to Freetown. "Empire Amethyst" was spotted by the crew of on 12 April 1942. The U-boat captain, Walther Kölle, believed that she was being escorted by and did not attack. At 03:02 hrs "Empire Amethyst" received a