The Federal Trade Commission has ruled that “green amethyst” is no more. We now use the term “mint green quartz.” Both the former green amethyst and the well known purple amethyst are from the quartz family. The green shade is obtained by heating the quartz. It is only natural in Prasiolite- which has erroneously been called “green amethyst” by some – but is in fact a rare gemstone mined in a very few places – and formed when the quartz is naturally subjected to intense heat. Prasiolite means “leek stone” named for the green color. These mint green quartz earrings are lovely no matter what we call them.