What Gem is known as the Bishops Stone ?

Amethyst....now can you tell me why???

Historically, the purplish color of the amethyst was supposed to prevent drunkenness, and bring a sense of peace and devotion. It was Pliny who thought the Greek name Amethysos, "not drunken," or Amethyein, "to be immune from it," was so called because of the gem's similarity to the color of wine. It was not only a stone to help prevent alcoholic drunkenness, but to remind a Bishop not to become "drunk" with power, and to focus always on the Heavenly Kingdom.

Still today the more common design of a Bishop's ring is an oval shaped amethyst, usually very large, with the diocesan seal engraved directly into the flat surface of the gem. In earlier times the ring was always worn on the middle finger of the Bishop's right hand. This ring was very visible when the Bishop raised his hand and gave the blessing, and helped to project its meaning to all who received Christ's power from heavenly realms. It was also a seal that could be pressed into warm wax, and used to imprint secret documents. Finally, it also served as a seal for official ecclesiastical functions like ordinations, consecrations, or when certificates were issued and sealed.

Amethyst & Bishop's Ring

Great post Georgia and Sherasi..

Interesting Sher. I also read about wine carafs being made from amethyst and that the carafs would be filled with water or watered down wine but because of the color of the stone partakers of the drink thought they were drinking wine. Thus they would become "drunk" while the Bishop (who knew the truth) remained sober. Of course that might be a legend.

That is essentially correct.. also the carafs being purple from the amethyst would disguise how good (or poor) the wine quailty was.