Catholic gold: Precious metal and the papacy

Whoever becomes the new pope, one thing is certain: he'll wear a new papal ring -- a unique piece of jewelry that is cast for each pope.

Keep clicking for a look at some of the golden jewelry adornments worn by Catholic officials. Seen here is Pope Emeritus, then-Pope Benedict XVI, waving to the faithful as he leaves St Peter's Square at the end of his final general audience on February 27, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. His ring is known as The Fisherman's Ring, a reference to St. Peter who was a fisherman and church founder.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's ring is 35 grams of pure gold. It took eight artisans working 15 hours a day for two weeks to make it.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

The hands of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI are seen after he arrived on September 22, 2011 at the Tegel airport in Berlin. The former pope, German-born Joseph Ratzinger, is now known as Pope Emeritus. According to the goldsmith that created his ring, the former pope's ring will be crossed out. Traditionally, the rings were destroyed with a hammer.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

Cardinal Italian Giuseppe Versaldi shows his ring during the traditional courtesy visit after the consistory at the Vatican on February 18, 2012.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

GABRIEL BOUYS,GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images

The ring of a cardinal, as seen during a mass at the St Peter's basilica before the conclave on March 12, 2013 at the Vatican.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

A cardinal's ring is seen at Gammarelli ecclesiastical tailoring in Rome on February 21, 2013.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

This picture shows a cardinal wearing his ring on February 18, 2012, at St Peter's basilica at the Vatican.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, Pope Benedict XVI's Vice Camerlengo, answers journalists' questions during a press conference in the Holy See Press Room on February 25, 2013, in Vatican City.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

Pope John Paul II waves to the pilgrims and faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square during his weekly general audience March 26, 2003, in Vatican City.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

The ring of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, archbishop of Washington, D.C., is seen as he is seen at the North American College April 5, 2005, in Rome.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI puts on the Fisherman's Ring during his first mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 24, 2005. He was Roman Catholic Church's 265th pope, and since his retirement, is known as Pope Emeritus.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

The hand of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wearing the Fisherman's Ring is seen as he waves to the crowd from his popemobile after celebrating mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 24, 2005.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

Pope John Paul II observes three minutes of silence for the victims of the southeast Asian tsunami at the end of his weekly's general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican on January 5, 2005.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, as seen speaking to a crowd on August 18, 2005 in Cologne, Germany.

Secrets of the papal ring: Goldsmith details how one-of-a-kind adornment is crafted