Webthe philosopher’s stone, first described in alexandrian and arabian texts, was said to not only hold the power to create gold, but also granted the power of health. Weba page from johann grasshoff’s 1620 notebook depicts one of the most important stages in making the philosopher’s stone, what alchemists called making the. Webphilosopher’s stone, in western alchemy, an unknown substance, also called “the tincture” or “the powder,” sought by alchemists for its supposed ability to. Webencrypting the most valuable trade secret, the philosophers' stone, would have provided an added layer of protection against alchemical fraud and the unenlightened. Webaccording to legend, the philosopher’s stone was a substance that could turn ordinary metals such as iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel or copper into precious metals.