Treatment with x-rays increased the intensity of color of natural amethyst up to fivefold, and an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum was detected. The intensity of the spectrum was proportional to the intensity of the optical absorption near 545 mmicro. The EPR spectrum of the color center corresponded to a positive hole trapped on a substitutional Fe(3+) ion in the quartz structure. We ascribe the color to a charge-transfer transition, Fe(4+) + O(2)- --> Fe(3+) + O(1-).