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Philosopher's stone

This article is about the legendary substance. For other uses, see Philosopher's Stone (disambiguation).

The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone by Joseph Wright of Derby, 1771.

The philosopher's stone[a] is a mythic alchemical substance capable of turning base metals such as mercury into gold or silver[b]; it was also known as "the tincture" and "the powder". Alchemists additionally believed that it could be used to make an elixir of life which made possible rejuvenation and immortality.[1][2]

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").[3]


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  1. ^ "philosopher's stone". Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica. 13 May 2024. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. ^ Highfield, Roger. "A history of magic: Secrets of the Philosopher's Stone". The British Library. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  3. ^ Heindel, Max (June 1978). Freemasonry and Catholicism: an exposition and Investigation. Rosicrucian Fellowship. ISBN 0-911274-04-9. Archived from the original on 10 July 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2006.

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