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**Article Three**
Concerning the emergence, nature, and attributes of solid metals [103/a].
O esteemed one! It is known that philosophers have said: The first of the three kinds of metals are the solids, which are – as mentioned in the preceding article – the seven well-known bodies. All of these are composed solely of sulfur and mercury. If sulfur and mercury exist in a pure state and completely blend with each other, so that the earth’s moisture draws out the water of the mercury, and the coloring power of the sulfur meets with a suitable proportion to it, and the metal is baked by its own heat for thousands of years, then this metal arises and yellow gold is produced. If sulfur and mercury are pure but do not completely blend with each other, and their proportions are also suitable, and they bake for a long period of time, so that the sulfur whitens and loses its moisture, then white silver results from this metal. If coldness strikes this mixture before it bakes, the two combine to form bronze. If mercury is pure and sulfur is mixed with it, and they bake, copper arises. If water is abundant in this mixture and it encounters excessive heat, iron arises. If the added sulfur does not burn, tin arises. If both sulfur and mercury are mixed, lead arises. It is known through experience that the differences seen in these solid substances originate from the quantity and quality of sulfur and mercury.
The nature of gold, which is considered the sultan of solid metals, is hot (ḥār), soft (layyīn), and subtle; it does not burn with fire. It does not separate into its elements due to a strong combination of water particles with earth particles; this separation is not possible even with fire. Gold will not rot or rust if it remains beneath the earth for a thousand years. Its color is yellow and clear. The nature of gold is sweet, its scent pleasant, and its body dense; it does not corrode. It has a heavy mass. Structurally, it is beautiful and valuable. Therefore, the heat in gold’s nature comes from its fiery (nārī) quality. Its softness comes from the abundance of oil within it. Its clarity comes from the purity of its water. The pleasantness of its taste and scent comes from the purity of its sulfur. Its subtlety and refinement come from the purity and cleanness of its mercury. The heaviness of its mass comes from being earthy (ḥākī) in temperament. Its beauty and value come from the light that the essential self gives it. Yellow gold is the quintessence of the soul and the capital of both worlds. It is the most valuable of all things. It is the most honorable of Allah’s blessings, for yellow gold is the foundation of religion and the world. It maintains the order of created beings in the universe. Gold has found favor in every region and geography. Everyone is in some way dependent upon it. The power and strength of men are achieved through its means. For women, it is an adornment and a source of delight. As it is said:
*Rubāʿī*
O gold! You gather all pleasures together,
Beloved of the world’s people at every time.
Surely Allah has bestowed grace but not divinity,
You conceal faults and are the judge of needs.
(Translation of the *Rubāʿī*)
The silver is the closest mixture to gold in terms of affection residing in hearts. If it did not lack sulfur (kibrit-i ebyaz) in its substance, and if the blending of its components were complete, it would be yellow gold. This silver constantly burns with fire and rots within the earth for a long time, turning white objects black. For its stain passes to whatever is nearest it. If mercury is near it, it will not accept hammering and will break. If sulfur strikes it, the silver turns from white to black. Copper is a substance close to silver. The difference lies in its redness, impurity, dryness of nature, and unpleasantness of taste and scent. Its redness depends on the excessive heat of its sulfur. Its dirtiness and dryness are due to the density of the liquid that makes up its mixture [103/b]. Despite these qualities, whoever is able to whiten and soften it obtains whatever they desire. The blackness of iron is known from its great heat. It has been found to be more water-heavy (mā’ī) than other mixtures. Tin is a metal like white silver. Just as an affliction reaches a fetus in the womb and it dies, so too when one of three afflictions strikes the silver within the earth, it turns into tin. These three afflictions are variable water, foul odor, and looseness. Lead is the corrupted class of tin. Its emergence and corruption are like its own. The nature of bronze is colder and drier than all of these. Its scent is also worse than all of them.
In the hope that this may serve as a means of reflection on the majesty of Allah, we have contented ourselves with explaining the condition of mixtures to this extent.