Alchemy and its success through modern science

I hope you know the word "Alchemy". What was alchemy? Alchemy was mix of mysticism, philosophy, astrology and science. It was a subject of practice by which Philosophers Stone could be made which could transform ordinary metals like lead, nickel, iron to a precious metal like gold. It also searched for the Elixir of Life which could make people immortal.

The Alchemist

Alchemy had a long history. Many ancient civilizations like Hellenistic Egypt, India, China, Greeks, Romans had their own alchemy. In later periods Islamic kingdoms like Persia, Turkey, Egypt and Spanish Moors practiced this subject. Through Moors it re-entered Europe and in renaissance period during 12th to 13th century it spreaded in Europe. In the beginning it was not so different than early chemistry. Until 17th century it spreaded side by side with chemistry. Wealthy and powerful people like kings or barons were became patrons for the alchemists. They provided alchemists the laboratory and resources. In return alchemists must research and find the way to make gold from other metals. And It was not a surprise that they all failed their patrons to deliver the product. Many famous minds of that time spent their time in alchemy like Sir Isaac Newton, Tycho Brahe etc. 

Why alchemists failed ? Because they had the target which couldn't be achieved without proper knowledge of modern chemistry and nuclear science. They didn't have the knowledge or the proper instruments needed for producing that transformation in their time. So, by mixing of some substances did not produce gold.

What do we need to transform a metal to any other metal ? We need thorough knowledge of chemistry and nuclear science. In modern lab with particle accelerator or a nuclear reactor it is possible. Yes, gold can be made in lab but the cost is much more higher than the market rate. 

The idea of the alchemy was to transform an element to a new element. Scientists did that already. There are almost dozens of elements in periodic table (Like Americium, Berkelium, Californium, Einsteinium etc.) which could not be found naturally. These are man made Synthetic elements.

Synthetic Elements

So, in a sense alchemists achieved their goal at last. Modern chemistry captured the scientific essence of alchemy except mysticism, astrology and philosophy. It succeeded where alchemy failed. It created which alchemists always tried and gave their entire life. Modern chemistry found that philosophers stone and the ability to transform the elements, So, alchemists are surely laughing somewhere in this victory of modern science.