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The philosopher's stone [a] is a mythic alchemical substance capable of turning base metals such as mercury into gold or silver; [b] it was also known as "the tincture" and "the powder". Alchemists additionally believed that it could be used to make an elixir of life which made possible rejuvenation and immortality .
In alchemy, the term chrysopoeia (from Ancient Greek χρυσοποιία (khrusopoiía) 'gold-making') refers to the artificial production of gold, most commonly by the alleged transmutation of base metals such as lead.
[1] [4] [5] [n 1] Common aims were chrysopoeia, the transmutation of "base metals" (e.g., lead) into "noble metals" (particularly gold); [1] the creation of an elixir of immortality; [1] and the creation of panaceas able to cure any disease. [6] The perfection of the human body and soul was thought to result from the alchemical magnum opus ...
Depiction of Sedziwój performing a transmutation for Sigismund III by Jan Matejko, 1867. Projection was the ultimate goal of Western alchemy.Once the philosopher's stone or powder of projection had been created, the process of projection would be used to transmute a lesser substance into a higher form; often lead into gold.
Newton's writings suggest that one of the main goals of his alchemy may have been the discovery of the philosopher's stone (a material believed to turn base metals into gold), and perhaps to a lesser extent, the discovery of the highly coveted Elixir of Life. [6]
With the powder (whose secret was presumably hidden in the book) Kelley believed he could prepare a red "tincture" which would allow him to transmute base metals into gold. He reportedly demonstrated its power a few times over the years, including in Bohemia (present Czech Republic) where he and Dee resided for many years.
The Alchemist Discovering Phosphorus (1771) by Joseph Wright depicting Hennig Brand discovering phosphorus (the glow shown is exaggerated). Hennig Brand (German pronunciation: [ˈhɛnɪç bʁant]; c. 1630 – c. 1692 or c. 1710) was a German alchemist who lived and worked in Hamburg.
French ormolu mantel clock (around 1800) by Julien Béliard (1758 – died after 1806), Paris.The clock case by Claude Galle (1758–1815) Ormolu (/ ˈ ɔːr m ə ˌ l uː /; from French or moulu 'ground/pounded gold') is the gilding technique of applying finely ground, high-carat gold–mercury amalgam to an object of bronze, and objects finished in this way.