Crystalline violet is a basic dye that binds to DNA in the nucleus and stains the nucleus. Triphenylmethane dye and methyl violet were the first synthetic dyes used to verify amyloid. Methyl violet is a mixture of tetra-, penta-, and hexamethyl paraffin bases, and the staining of amyloid may be due to the selective affinity of methyl violet for a colored component; the reaction of amyloid is far from specific because of the lack of a significant color change that distinguishes it from other tissue constituents; sealing of methyl violet-stained sections with a water-soluble sealing agent is necessary because localized dehydration disrupts red Multi-staining.

Crystal Violet/Gentian Violet Stain, mainly composed of crystal violet, gentian violet, ethanol, etc., is a stain commonly used in tissue or cell staining that can stain the nuclei of cells to a dark purple color, containing different ratios of crystal violet and gentian violet.