Philosopher's stone

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The philosopher's stone is a mythic alchemical substance capable of turning base metals such as lead and mercury into gold or silver; it was also known as "the tincture" and "the powder" as well as "red lion" for gold and "white lion" for silver. Alchemists additionally believed that it could be used to make an elixir of life which made possible rejuvenation and immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal in alchemy. The philosopher's stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection at its finest, divine illumination, and heavenly bliss. Efforts to discover the philosopher's stone were known as the Magnum Opus ("Great Work").

Read on Wikipedia · Image Joseph Wright of Derby, Public domain