Alchemy, AL kuh mee, is a blend of pseudoscience, magic, and mystical philosophy. It was popular from the time of early Christianity until about 1700. Alchemists tried to change less costly metals into silver and gold. They also tried to find the elixir of life (a substance that would cure disease and lengthen life). They failed to find it, but their work in preparing and studying chemical substances helped the science of chemistry develop.