Diana's Tree (Arbor Diana or Dianae) is one of the most intriguing creations of alchemy. Its delicate branches of crystallized silver seem to come alive and grow. Intrigued, medieval philosophers ponder possibilities of life in the mineral realm.
Few phenomena captivate the imagination as deeply as Diana's Tree. A dendritic amalgam of crystallized silver, it's a fusion of artistry and natural processes, revealing the beauty of the mineral world. Diana's Tree is also called the Philosopher's Tree (Arbor philosophorum) although this term can apply to the chemical work of George Starkey.
Diana's Tree is an intricate formation of crystalline silver in a branching, tree-like structure. In Roman mythology Diana is goddess of silver, the moon and the hunt.
Silver is often called Diana in alchemy, as iron is Mars, lead Saturn and copper Venus. Silver relates to the moon, with silver nitrate termed lunar caustic in medieval times.
The structure of Diana's Tree is created through a chemical process of reducing silver ions, which results in the arborescence. Beyond aesthetic appeal, Diana's Tree is an example of the complexities in mineral formations and processes of the natural world.
How to Make Diana's Tree
The creation of Diana's Tree is a chemical process beginning with mercury and silver nitrate. To make Diana's Tree, follow safety guidelines.
High-purity mercury and silver nitrate must be acquired.
Using materials of the highest quality is essential, as even minor impurities can detract from the final result. Alchemist George Starkey of London experiments with mercury to purify the liquid metal.
Preparation:
The process begins with a saturated solution of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) or lunar caustic, and metallic mercury (Hg). Care should be taken as both mercury and its compounds are highly toxic and must be handled with caution.
Silver nitrate is dissolved in distilled water to form a saturated solution. Separately, mercury is heated and cautiously introduced into the silver nitrate solution.
Formation:
When metallic mercury is introduced into the silver nitrate solution, a reaction occurs. The mercury reduces the silver ions (Ag⁺) present in the solution, causing elemental silver to precipitate out of the solution.
Crystallization:
Magic happens as the mixture cools. When the silver begins to precipitate, it forms insoluble, finely branched crystals. The rate of precipitation, as well as the temperature and concentration of the solution, can affect morphology of the crystals.
Silver crystals grow into dendritic shapes, resembling a delicate tree. This part of the process requires patience; it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days for the crystals to fully develop.
Collection:
Once the desired crystallization has occurred, the dendritic silver formations can be carefully collected. They are often cleaned to remove any residual nitrate or mercury compounds. This must be done with care as the branches are fragile. One can display the finished Diana's Tree in a glass case to protect its beauty.
Discovery of Diana's Tree
Diana's Tree is first documented in the 17th century. During this time, experimental practices use more chemicals and chemical compounds due to the Renaissance influence of people like Paracelsus, who introduces them into medicine.
Prominent alchemists like George Starkey (Eirenaeus Philalethes) conduct experiments with mercury leading to discovery of these delicate structures. Starkey's work in the mid-1600s is widely acknowledged as the starting point in the history of this natural wonder.
Starkey develops a method to create a branch-like structure made of an alloy of gold and mercury, or sophick mercury (wise mercury or mercury of wisdom). This involves repeated mercury distillation, followed by heating it with gold to form the structure.
His version is also referred to as the Philosophers' Tree (Arbor philosophorum), found among the writings of Isaac Newton. One variation of Starkey's experiment includes mixing a small gold seed with mercury.
In medieval and Renaissance times, creating gold from gold itself (multiplication) is considered feasible. Multiplication is illegal in England from 1404 - 1688.
Variation - Saturn's Tree
Saturn's Tree is a crystallized lead deposit resembling a tree in form. It's made by immersion of zinc shavings into a solution of lead(II) acetate. Lead is a metal traditionally associated with planet Saturn.
Diana's Tree Facts
Symbolism
Diana’s Tree is associated with the Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon, Diana, symbolizing purity and strength. Diana is a patron of women and childbirth as well as a divine huntress.
Unique Patterns
The growth patterns of Diana’s Tree are unique; each piece is distinct, never replicating exactly, making every sample a one-of-a-kind specimen. The intricate branch formation of Diana's Tree is highly collectible, appealing to both art lovers and scientists.
Collectability
Crystallized dendritic forms like Diana’s Tree are collected not only for their beauty but also for their scientific significance in studying crystallization processes and mineralogy.
Historical Importance
Diana's Tree is recorded in numerous alchemical texts. Scholars delight in Diana's Tree for its unique crystallization processes, showing the blend of natural art and science.
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