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The name is mostly applied informally to compositions between 20–80% gold and 80–20% silver, but these are strictly called gold or silver depending on the dominant element. Analysis of the composition of electrum in ancient Greek coinage dating from about 600 BC shows that the gold content was about 55.5% in the coinage issued by Phocaea.
Silver-gilt or gilded/gilt silver, sometimes known in American English by the French term vermeil, is silver (either pure or sterling) which has been gilded.Most large objects made in goldsmithing that appear to be gold are actually silver-gilt; for example, most sporting trophies (including medals such as the gold medals awarded in all Olympic Games after 1912) [1] and many crown jewels are ...
Heavily used altars filled with ash found in the temple feature alabaster, vases, jugs, amulets, and jewelry. The majority of the temple dates to the 7th century BC, but archaeologists discovered ...
Gilded frame ready for burnishing with an agate stone tool Application of gold leaf to a reproduction of a 15th-century panel painting. Gilding is a decorative technique for applying a very thin coating of gold over solid surfaces such as metal (most common), wood, porcelain, or stone. [1]
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 .
Pearl Meaning and History. Beyond their mesmerizing beauty, June's birthstones carry profound symbolic and mythological significance. Harris shares pearls' storied history: "The ancient Greeks ...
Rubedo is a Latin word meaning "redness" that was adopted by alchemists to define the fourth and final major stage in their magnum opus. [1] Both gold and the philosopher's stone were associated with the color red, as rubedo signaled alchemical success, and the end of the great work. [2] Rubedo is also known by the Greek word iosis.
A related term is argyropoeia (from Ancient Greek ἀργυροποιία (arguropoiía) 'silver-making'), referring to the artificial production of silver, often by transmuting copper. Although alchemists pursued many different goals, the making of gold and silver remained one of the defining ambitions of alchemy throughout its history, from ...