Why did the alchemists search for a philosopher's stone and who found it?

From the Middle Ages until the end of the XVII century, the so-called philosophical stone was the cherished goal of the alchemists - scientists who created the knowledge base for modern chemistry.

What is a "philosopher's stone"?

According to legend, the philosopher's stone was a substance capable of converting simple metals such as copper, zinc, tin and iron, into precious metals - gold and silver. In addition, with the help of the philosopher's stone, one could achieve the elixir of eternal youth, able to heal from any disease, restore lost youth and even grant immortality to its lucky owner.

The alchemists regarded the philosopher's stone as a stone only in the very formation of their "science", further searches characterized it both as a powder and as an elixir. In the period of the High Renaissance, it was customary to call the philosopher's stone "materia prima". It was during this period that alchemy was strongly mixed with philosophy.

In their incessant search for this all-powerful "stone," the alchemists studied all kinds of natural and chemical elements, conducted experiments and synthesized new substances and alloys, creating a solid foundation for the emergence of chemistry, pharmacology and metallurgy.

What was the result of the search?

Many of the European geniuses sought to find this unique element, among them were Roger Boyle - the progenitor of chemistry, Johann Conrad Dippel, who became the prototype of Victor Frankenstein in the novel by Mary Shelley, and even Isaac Newton, whose secret passion for alchemy is widely known today.

However, long before Newton, the French clerk, notary, philanthropist and alchemist Nicolas Flamel allegedly revealed the secret of the philosopher's stone. In his bookshop came an ancient Jewish book with Kabbalistic mysteries, for the translation of which Flamel went to Spain, after which rumors spread about the creation of the alchemist's magic element. The incredibly long life of Flamel and his wife and suddenly acquired wealth only contributed to the spread of these rumors.

Nicolas Flamel is well known to fans of Harry Potter novels. In the first book of the series, Joan Rowling mentions Flamel and his successful find - the book was published under the title "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".