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Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
How to Make Venetian Red Artisan Pigment
Venetian Red, also called Mars Red, is a non-toxic iron oxide pigment used by dyers, painters and craftspersons since the early days of...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20244 min read
Titans of the Renaissance: Powerful Italian Families
Powerful Medici, Borgia, Sforza, Gonzaga and Este families rise to prominence in the Renaissance. Behind the vast artistic innovations...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20243 min read
Science of Onion Tears: Demystifying Acids
What exactly causes onions to make a person cry? The answer involves a combination of chemistry and enzymes. The trigger behind the tears...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20245 min read
Alchemy Process of Congelation: Freezing, Crystallization
Congelation is transformation of matter by freezing and crystallization. It's a straightforward process with many nuances. In spiritual...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20243 min read
Sulfur-Mercury Theory: Alchemical Philosophy
The Sulfur-Mercury theory, an ancient cornerstone of alchemical thought, exemplifies the duality inherent in alchemy. The relationship...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20244 min read
Alchemy: Philosophers' Stone History & Lore
The Philosophers' Stone or lapis philosophorum is a miraculous legendary substance. It holds secrets to an elixir of life, a cure for...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20245 min read
Alchemy Processes Invented by Islamic Alchemists
After the 642 AD Islamic conquest of Egypt, the center of alchemy moves to Muslim lands. Medieval Arab alchemists study and expand upon...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20245 min read
Salt in Alchemy: Alchemical Uses & Lore
Salt is important from ancient to Renaissance alchemy, and still used today in alchemical projects, dyeing, cuisine and medicine. In...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20245 min read
Equipment Alchemists Need: Essential Tools of the Trade
Alchemy begins with several elements coming together at a crucial time in Alexandria, Egypt. As an international glass center, the city...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
Goethite: The Other Iron-Rich Mineral
Goethite is common but like hematite a remarkable iron oxide mineral. In geology and mineralogy, goethite has piqued the interest of...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
Knowing the Three Primary Oxides of Iron
Iron is abundant in Earth's crust and one of the seven metals of antiquity . Essential for life, iron can form various oxides and change...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20243 min read
Making Sulfuric Acid in History & Today
Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is one of the most important chemicals in the world, with many uses from car battery production to fertilizer...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20244 min read
How to Make Copperas Red: Simply Science
Copperas, iron(II) sulfate or green ferrous sulfate, is a versatile compound in various applications, from agriculture to water...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20245 min read
Natural Purple Dyes: Ancient & Medieval
Dyers, coloring professionals, metal workers and gemologists seek vibrant colors and tones since early civilization. The first use of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 30, 20243 min read
Ancient Greek Discovery & Use of Mercury
The ancient Greeks are celebrated for their contributions to various fields such as philosophy, mathematics, and medicine. Among their...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 30, 20244 min read
Mercurius: Mystical Essence of Alchemy
Mercurius among the most important figures of the alchemical storybook A vast array of symbols and archetypes populate the path to...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 30, 20244 min read
Earthy & Mineral Hematite: Differences
Hematite, an iron oxide mineral, is well-known for its striking metallic luster and deep red to black colorations. Appearing in various...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20244 min read
How to Extract Red from Hematite: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hematite, an iron oxide mineral with the chemical formula Fe2O3, is prevalent around the world. Known for metallic luster and red earth...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
How to Make Hematite Pigment: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hematite, an iron ore with the chemical formula Fe2O3 (ferric oxide), is known for its metallic luster. In earthy form the stone offers a...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
Aqua Regia: The Green Lyon of Alchemy
Aqua regia, Latin for “royal water,” is a powerful acidic solution known to dissolve noble metals like gold and platinum. It's used in...
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