Coveted alchemical treasure the philosopher's stone was mostly described as a deeply suspect and bizarre red powder

A closer look

Thanks to a certain British wizarding franchise, everyone thinks the ultimate goal of alchemy was a glowing, blood-red ruby. Historically, practically zero actual alchemists were looking for a literal stone. Depending on which medieval grimoire you read, the magical substance that could cure all illness and turn lead into gold was described as a waxy paste, a stinky liquid, or—most commonly—a heavy, saffron-colored red powder. They just called it a 'stone' because it supposedly resisted fire. So really, history's greatest mystical pursuit was just a magical paprika.