top of page
Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
Science of Rust Earth Pigments & Colors
Rust is a complex chemical reaction from the interaction of iron, oxygen, and moisture. This common phenomenon produces striking colors...
21 views
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...
26 views
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...
21 views
Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20245 min read
How to Make Iron Oxide Pigment at Home
Make non-toxic iron oxide pigments for painting, dyes, glazes, artistic to industrial uses. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) or rust exists on Earth...
30 views
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...
12 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20244 min read
Jungian Numerology & Number Meanings
Numerology, the mystical study of numbers and their meanings, empowers people for centuries. A prominent figure in psychology and...
14 views
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...
21 views
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...
32 views
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...
15 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 30, 20244 min read
Hematite: Iron Oxide Red Earth Pigment
"Hematite" comes from the ancient Greek for blood. The stone creates red dust when cut and polished. The red color isn't always visible...
22 views
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...
15 views
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...
32 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
How to Make Copperas Ferrous Sulfate: Process
Copperas, known chemically as ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄), has been a vital compound across various industries for centuries. Although...
33 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
Caput Mortuum: Dead Head Purple Pigment
Caput mortuum (Latin "dead head") is a purple hematite iron oxide pigment, used in oil paints and dyes. Due to cultural significance of...
13 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20247 min read
Question of Alchemy in Ancient Rome
Alchemy, a fusion of science, philosophy and mysticism, emerges in practice from the 1st century AD. Among the power civilizations of...
10 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 27, 20244 min read
Venice Italy: Jewel of the Renaissance
Venice during the Renaissance emerges as a vibrant center of art, culture and commerce, influencing the broader European scope. The...
16 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 27, 20243 min read
Alchemy & Renaissance Glass: Antonio Neri
Antonio Neri is a Renaissance Florentine priest, well known for contributions to alchemy and glassmaking. As a youth Neri is drawn to the...
16 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 26, 20243 min read
Tricky Alchemy: Caput Mortuum Purple
Caput mortuum, Latin for as "dead head" is an ominous name for a valued color. As an iron oxide it's easy to make at home. As a purple...
10 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 24, 20246 min read
Alchemy: Dyeing Stones to Look Like Gems
Although alchemy is often associated with gold-making, another essential skill of the alchemist is to color or dye stones like quartz...
16 views
Sylvia Rose
Aug 21, 20244 min read
Urine in Medieval Alchemy & Medicine
In the medieval world, urine is a surprisingly versatile body fluid with a wide range of applications beyond the obvious disposal...
16 views
bottom of page