How to transform silver into gold
The current value of silver is around $32 an ounce. The value of gold is around $2975 per ounce. Being able to turn silver into gold would generate a substantial return.
As it turns out, back in the 1920s the French scientist (and alchemist) François Jollivet-Castelot claimed he could do exactly this, and he shared his method.
If you decide to try it, let us know how it works!
You can find more detailed instructions at FontanaEditore.com.
As it turns out, back in the 1920s the French scientist (and alchemist) François Jollivet-Castelot claimed he could do exactly this, and he shared his method.
If you decide to try it, let us know how it works!
You can find more detailed instructions at FontanaEditore.com.
Kansas City Post - Apr 12, 1923
Jollivet-Castelot in his laboratory
Comments
Sulfur, antimony and arsenic are all ingredients regularly used by alchemists. Although they usually tried to turn lead into gold.
Posted by eddi on 02/26/25 at 04:25 AM
I believe I learned in, like, grade school, that sulfur and arsenic can be used to create a gold patina on silver, and that this was basically a common recurring scam used through history to defraud people. Kinda wild that something so obvious would still be treated seriously in the 20th century.
Posted by Ross on 02/26/25 at 07:33 AM
@Ross
Especially given the density differences (gold being nearly twice as dense as silver).
Especially given the density differences (gold being nearly twice as dense as silver).
Posted by crc on 02/26/25 at 10:14 AM
I'm confused. Trying to turn lead into gold was the standard (and accomplished (sort of) in 1980 -- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-lead-can-be-turned-into-gold/ ). I've never heard of turning silver into gold.
Where in this process does he use the philosopher's stone? It's just a list of ingredients, all of which are, presumably, part of the resulting compound. You would expect to see some mention, at the very least, of the stone being passed over the crucible.
Where in this process does he use the philosopher's stone? It's just a list of ingredients, all of which are, presumably, part of the resulting compound. You would expect to see some mention, at the very least, of the stone being passed over the crucible.
Posted by Phideaux on 02/27/25 at 11:02 AM
@Phideaux
You have to make a Philosopher's Stone before you can use it to turn lead to gold and all the rest. Apparently François Jollivet-Castelot thought that's what he had brewed up. Which may explain his using silver instead of lead.
You have to make a Philosopher's Stone before you can use it to turn lead to gold and all the rest. Apparently François Jollivet-Castelot thought that's what he had brewed up. Which may explain his using silver instead of lead.
Posted by eddi on 02/28/25 at 04:16 AM
Category: Mad Scientists, Evil Geniuses, Insane Villains | Money | Science | Pseudoscience | 1920s