Gemstones & Metals

Pyrococcus furiosus: Extremophile of Vulcano

Sylvia Rose

Dec 25, 20244 min read

Pyrococcus furiosus: Extremophile of Vulcano

Pyrococcus furiosus is an extremophile first discovered in the boiling hot, anaerobic conditions of the volcanic island Vulcano. This...

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Microbe pH Levels: Acidophiles, Neutrophiles & Alkaliphiles

Sylvia Rose

Dec 17, 20245 min read

Microbe pH Levels: Acidophiles, Neutrophiles & Alkaliphiles

Acidophiles, neutrophiles, and alkaliphiles are microbes which prosper at certain pH levels and environmental conditions such as sulfur...

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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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Sylvia Rose

Dec 7, 202410 min read

Alchemy & Religion

Alchemy through the ages is a science affected by personal spirituality and religion. Rooted in ancient practices, alchemy takes shape in...

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Andreas Libavius: Science & Controversy of Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Dec 5, 20246 min read

Andreas Libavius: Science & Controversy of Alchemy

Andreas Libavius (c. 1550-1616) is one of the most influential figures of Renaissance alchemy, active in the Elizabethan era. His book...

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Natural Glass Gemstones: Cataclysmic Fusion

Sylvia Rose

Dec 3, 20248 min read

Natural Glass Gemstones: Cataclysmic Fusion

Natural glass gemstones are caused by extraordinary geological events, such as intense heat and cataclysmic impacts. Natural glass...

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Sylvia Rose

Dec 2, 20247 min read

Silica (SiO2): Nature of Glass & Gems

Silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), occurs in the Earth’s crust, the microcosm and daily life. Silica makes ancient glass such as...

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Silicon (Si) Metalloid: Prehistory into the Future

Sylvia Rose

Dec 1, 20246 min read

Silicon (Si) Metalloid: Prehistory into the Future

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust, next to oxygen. A ductile metalloid, it's integral to industry and...

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Silicon (Si): Fueling the Robot Apocalypse

Sylvia Rose

Dec 1, 20245 min read

Silicon (Si): Fueling the Robot Apocalypse

Silicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, a ductile metal important to industry and natural processes. Silicon is in...

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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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Cobalt (Co): The Little Goblin Who Could

Sylvia Rose

Nov 28, 20246 min read

Cobalt (Co): The Little Goblin Who Could

Cobalt is a silvery grey metal used across various fields, including science, medicine, and industry. It receives its name from the...

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Zaffre: Vintage Cobalt Blue Glass & Artists' Pigment

Sylvia Rose

Nov 27, 20246 min read

Zaffre: Vintage Cobalt Blue Glass & Artists' Pigment

Zaffre (zaffer) is a vibrant deep blue pigment developed by alchemists, major pigment creators, by c. 1550 AD. Characterized by brilliant...

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Flowers of Antimony: Pure Medieval Purgative

Sylvia Rose

Nov 25, 20244 min read

Flowers of Antimony: Pure Medieval Purgative

Flowers of antimony are a purified form of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3). Created through sublimation, they have chemical and medical...

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Glass of Antimony: Renaissance Purgatives

Sylvia Rose

Nov 24, 20244 min read

Glass of Antimony: Renaissance Purgatives

Glass of antimony , or vitrum antimonii , gives warm yellow or red hues. As Sb2O3, its use in alchemy is largely medicinal, one of many...

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Calcite: Metal-Eating Bacteria to Coral Reefs

Sylvia Rose

Nov 20, 20245 min read

Calcite: Metal-Eating Bacteria to Coral Reefs

Calcite is made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). With stunning crystal formations and a range of beautiful colors, calcite also has...

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S. pasteurii: Calcium Eating Limestone-Making Bacteria

Sylvia Rose

Nov 20, 20245 min read

S. pasteurii: Calcium Eating Limestone-Making Bacteria

Sporosarcina pasteurii is a gram-positive bacterium with the extraordinary ability to precipitate calcite and solidify sand when exposed...

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Calcium (Ca): Earth Metal of Structure & Strength

Sylvia Rose

Nov 20, 20245 min read

Calcium (Ca): Earth Metal of Structure & Strength

Calcium (Ca) is a vital element in life and health on Earth. A silvery white metal, calcium is a strong builder, from bone structure to...

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Liver of Sulfur: Alchemy, Metal & Medicine

Sylvia Rose

Nov 15, 20245 min read

Liver of Sulfur: Alchemy, Metal & Medicine

Liver of Sulfur is a unique compound of alchemy, metallurgy and medicine. Also known as hepar sulfuris or sulfurated potash, Liver of...

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Pyrometallurgy: Ancient Processes of Modern Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Nov 13, 20246 min read

Pyrometallurgy: Ancient Processes of Modern Alchemy

Pyrometallurgy is the high-temperature processing of ores to extract and refine metals. It uses alchemical processes in a modern...

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Sylvia Rose

Nov 12, 20245 min read

Biometallurgy: Microbes Mining Metals

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is only one of the amazing bacteria used in biometallurgy. In an age of environmental concerns,...

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