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
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