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Hydrogen Peroxide: Chemistry, Production, Risks
Hydrogen Peroxide (Hâ‚‚Oâ‚‚) is one of the most versatile chemicals today due to powerful oxidizing properties and a wide range of...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 29, 20244 min read
28 views


Natural Iron Oxide Pigments: Extraction, Types & Colors
Iron oxides create beautiful pigments in colors from warm yellow and orange to deep reds, brown, black and even green. Besides industry...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 29, 20243 min read
19 views


Fulminating Silver: Dangerous Explosives in Alchemical Science
Fulminating silver is a term applicable to a number of silver base d explosives which "fulminate" or detonate easily and violently,...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 27, 20243 min read
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Ardent Spirits Alchemy: the Fiery Elixirs of Life
Ardent Spirits in alchemy are liquors obtained after repeated distillations from fermented fruit and vegetables. They are thus called...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 26, 20244 min read
18 views


Fulminating Gold: Blowing It Up in Alchemy
Fulminating Gold ( aurum fulminans ) is the first high explosive known, recorded in Western alchemy c. 1585. Sebald Schwaerzer is the...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 25, 20243 min read
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Oil of Philosophers: Alchemy Health & Beauty
Oil of Brick is known as Oil of Philosophers by alchemists and Oleum de Lateribus  (Oil on the Sides) by apothecaries. This medicinal and...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 25, 20243 min read
64 views


What is Alum? Origins, Production & Use
Alum has a multi-toned nature. Alum denotes a group of chemical compounds characterized by double sulfate salts. Alums are used across...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 23, 20243 min read
16 views


Aluminum(III) Oxide: Secrets of Precious Gemstones
Aluminum oxide or alumina (Al2O3) is the secret to the composition and allure of precious gems such as sapphire and ruby. This white,...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 23, 20244 min read
14 views


Alchemy & Prague: Countess Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg
Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg (1559 - 1618) is described as a striking personality. Intelligent, charismatic and formidable of will,...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20244 min read
25 views


Alchemy: Ancient Mordant Recipes for Fabric & Stones
Alchemy of the ancients includes skills such as preparation of dyes, pigments and mordants for fabric and stone. Purple dyes are...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20243 min read
16 views


Mordants - Essential Ancient Dye Techniques
Mordants are part of the dyeing process and help achieve vibrant colors. Dyeing fabrics goes back to the Stone Age. Mordants are also...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 21, 20243 min read
15 views


Natural Colors: How to Extract Plant Pigments
Artists and craftspeople have used plant pigments as a source of color for millennia. Works of art and textile dyes using vegetable...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 20, 20244 min read
20 views


Lunar Caustic AgNO3: Lapis Infernalis of Alchemy
Lunar caustic ( lapis infernalis ), Höllenstein (hellstone) or silver nitrate ( argentinium nitrium ) is esteemed by alchemists of the...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 19, 20243 min read
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The Alembic: Essential Alchemy Equipment
The alembic is an essential alchemical tool. It functions like a retort, which in lead, iron or copper form has been used through...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 16, 20243 min read
51 views


Divine Water: Sulfuric Acid in Alchemy
Divine Water, oil of vitriol or sulfuric acid, scientifically denoted Hâ‚‚SOâ‚„, is commonly used in alchemy experiments. A mineral acid, it...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 13, 20247 min read
64 views


Alchemical Scientists: Secret Science of Alchemy
Alchemy reveals a world of penniless mystics, befuddled interpretation, arts of coloring metals and the quest for healing. Making gold...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 10, 20248 min read
10 views


Secrets of Renaissance Herbal Recipes
Renaissance herbal recipes focus on health and medicine, but can also include dyeing, coloring and pigment making. Botanical knowledge...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 9, 20245 min read
17 views


Metal & Gemstone Dyeing in Alchemy
In alchemy, science and mysticism intertwine. Among the practical alchemical skills is dyeing of metals and gems. Alchemists from early...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 6, 20246 min read
23 views


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...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
16 views


Leap to Flames: Why Did Empedocles Jump into Mount Etna?
The ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles of Sicily is an important figure in science and metaphysics. Based on Plato's work he...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20243 min read
24 views
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