Chemistry

Sylvia Rose

Dec 30, 20245 min read

Glycolysis: Biochemistry of Holistic Health

Glycolysis is a biochemical pathway used by organisms to convert glucose into functional energy. This process happens in single-celled...

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Sublimation & the Aludel: Medieval Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Dec 15, 20245 min read

Sublimation & the Aludel: Medieval Alchemy

Sublimation is a process of refinement, purification or extraction of specific elements. The aludel, a unique alchemical apparatus, is...

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Silica, Silicon & Silicone: Differences & Similarities

Sylvia Rose

Dec 12, 20245 min read

Silica, Silicon & Silicone: Differences & Similarities

Silica, silicon, and silicone refer to related but distinct substances with specific properties, applications, and origins. Silica is...

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Nickel (Ni): Metallurgy Facts & Folklore

Sylvia Rose

Nov 29, 20246 min read

Nickel (Ni): Metallurgy Facts & Folklore

Nickel (Ni), a silvery-white metal with a lustrous sheen, is a transition element essential to industry and commerce, and known in...

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Mercury II Oxide: Red & White of Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Nov 18, 20247 min read

Mercury II Oxide: Red & White of Alchemy

In practical alchemy, mercury II oxide (HgO) is often called the "Red Precipitate," with its compound Mercuric Amidochloride (Hg(NH2)Cl),...

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Diana's Tree: Silver Crystals of Lunar Caustic

Sylvia Rose

Nov 12, 20244 min read

Diana's Tree: Silver Crystals of Lunar Caustic

Diana's Tree ( Arbor Diana or Dianae ) is one of the most intriguing creations of alchemy. Its delicate branches of crystallized silver...

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Iodine (I): Origin, Properties, Uses & Facts

Sylvia Rose

Nov 9, 20243 min read

Iodine (I): Origin, Properties, Uses & Facts

Iodine (I) is an essential element in biology, industry, science and health. It's known for its intense violet gas and strong odor....

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Scheele's Green: History's Most Toxic Pigment

Sylvia Rose

Nov 9, 20245 min read

Scheele's Green: History's Most Toxic Pigment

Scheele's Green is a rich, vibrant green. Its color appeal surpasses that of the copper carbonate paints of the late 18th century and...

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Chlorine (Cl): Properties, Hazards & Uses

Sylvia Rose

Nov 8, 20245 min read

Chlorine (Cl): Properties, Hazards & Uses

Chlorine (Cl) is a vital element in nature, used in industry as a disinfectant. Characterized by its highly reactive habits, chlorine is...

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Carl Wilhelm Scheele: Poisonous Chemistry

Sylvia Rose

Nov 8, 20245 min read

Carl Wilhelm Scheele: Poisonous Chemistry

Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742 - 1786) is a self-taught German-Swedish chemist whose work has strong impact on chemical sciences of the day....

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Copper(II) Sulfate: Blue Vitriol, Chalcanthite

Sylvia Rose

Nov 7, 20245 min read

Copper(II) Sulfate: Blue Vitriol, Chalcanthite

Copper (II) sulfate CuSO4 yields a vivid color and widespread applications. Also known as blue vitriol in alchemy and chalcanthite in...

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Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass

Sylvia Rose

Nov 5, 20244 min read

Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass

Lye or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a vital part of human history. Also called caustic soda, lye is a white odorless solid. A strong...

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Glycerin (Glycerol): Darling of Cosmetics, Health & Science

Sylvia Rose

Nov 4, 20246 min read

Glycerin (Glycerol): Darling of Cosmetics, Health & Science

Glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a simple polyol compound with the chemical formula C3H8O3. This colorless, odorless,...

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Silent Destroyers: Microbes of Concrete Corrosion

Sylvia Rose

Nov 2, 20245 min read

Silent Destroyers: Microbes of Concrete Corrosion

The microbes of concrete corrosion include bacteria, fungi and algae. Their purpose in life is to break down and decompose matter, and...

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Metal Salts: Ancient History to Modern DIY

Sylvia Rose

Nov 2, 20245 min read

Metal Salts: Ancient History to Modern DIY

Metal salts are compounds created from metals and acids. In history and today they enjoy uses in beauty, natural health, chemical...

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Sylvia Rose

Oct 31, 20243 min read

Mosaic Gold: Alchemy of a Forgotten Art

Mosaic gold is also known to alchemists as aurum musivum or aurum mosaicum due to its mottled formation. Forgotten in the data fields...

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Chloroauric Acid: Gold Salts & Extraction

Sylvia Rose

Oct 31, 20243 min read

Chloroauric Acid: Gold Salts & Extraction

Chloroauric acid H[AuCl4] is a yellow solution created in the 18th century. A gold(III) salt, chloroauric acid is an innovative compound,...

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Artisan Perfumery: Four Degrees of Fragrance

Sylvia Rose

Oct 30, 20243 min read

Artisan Perfumery: Four Degrees of Fragrance

Perfumes are grouped according to their strengths. Every fragrance has a purpose, from a fresh splash of rose or mint to mysterious...

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DIY Perfume Artisans: Top, Middle & Base Notes

Sylvia Rose

Oct 30, 20243 min read

DIY Perfume Artisans: Top, Middle & Base Notes

DIY perfumes are all about crafting a unique signature scent or giving fragrance as a gift, the benefits of aromatherapy and expression...

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Alchemy of Perfumes: Scents, Cologne, Rose Water

Sylvia Rose

Oct 30, 20243 min read

Alchemy of Perfumes: Scents, Cologne, Rose Water

Perfumes are prized in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. The word “perfume” comes from Latin per fumum ,...

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