What gemstone is worn by the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church?

Question

Clue: Its set into a ring.

Answer 1

The Pope's ring would traditionally have an amethyst.

Ordinary bishops have a ring, not with a gemstone but with the bishop's coat of arms on it. The ring, like a wedding band, symbolizes that the bishop is "wedded" to his diocese. Also, the ring would be used to make the imprint of the bishop's seal in the hot wax to authenticate documents.

Cardinals also wear rings. The ring belonging a cardinal is given to him by the pope himself It is normally of small value and is set with a sapphire.

http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0393.html
http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/03ws/ws030612.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastical_ring

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

pride