COPPER-COATED RED AMETHYST GEODE, 20th century, exterior with high polish, mounted on a metal stand, 40cm high overall The red amethyst is compositionally identical to the classic purple hue which the ancient Greeks believed warded against intoxication (a - not, methýskō - intoxication), however what causes the red hue of certain specimens is the composition on which they are formed. Increased levels of iron changes the hue from purple to the burnt orange colour present in this specimen.