Soot is as old as fire. A dark, powder formed by incomplete burning of organic matter, it's used for centuries due to its easy...

Flowers of sulfur, often termed flowers of brimstone, are crumbly pale yellow powders popular with chemists, botanists, and artisans....

Potassium Hydroxide, also known as caustic potash, has a history dating back to ancient times. A versatile chemical compound, it's used...

Rust, the reddish-brown coating on metals, is formed by exposure to oxygen and moisture. Responsible for this phenomenon are several...

Experimenting with rust. Mmm rust. Amazing how many colors it gives out. I'm trying for an earthy gold and a couple other tones. On the...

Nitric acid, called the Queen of Acids or aqua fortis (strong water) is a vital chemical compound with significant importance in fields...

Niter or saltpeter (KNO3) is the mineral form of potassium nitrate. A soft substance easy to grind, it creates colorless to white...

Mother of vinegar ( Mycoderma aceti ), is a fascinating compound of life, with a range of health benefits and versatile uses. The Mother...

Valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ) is known for its calming properties. It's a prominent plant in natural health and herbal medicine....

Tartrate crystals appear on the bottom of a wine glass or in a bottle of grape juice, created by a reaction of tartaric acid. Reference...

Red and white tartar are ingredients used by ancients and yet today. Alchemists have great interest in salts, waters, spirits and...

Preparation of a Golden Spirit of Wine, a medicinal potion, is a recipe from the writings of Dutch-German alchemist Johann Glauber . He's...

Lixiviation or leaching is an ancient process alchemy still used today in making tea, extracting dyes and ores. Lixivium is a general...

Ammonia is a simple versatile compound vital to life on Earth. Here's the info on its formation, historical significance, potential...

The mortar and pestle as a unit is about 35,000 years old. With many varieties available today it's important to choose the best mortar...

Spirit of wine, or spirits of wine, is a common alchemical ingredient in medical remedies and recipes of chemical transformation. This...

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂), or silica, holds fascinating secrets within its molecular structure. It's one of the most abundant minerals found...

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) is one of the most versatile chemicals today due to powerful oxidizing properties and a wide range of...

Magnetite is an iron ore formed below the earth's surface. As one of the primary iron ores it keeps the wheels of progress turning....

Litharge (PbO) is a lead oxide mineral with an alpha and beta structure. It's among the most prominent of the lead oxides known due to...