1. Take a piece of gold, the purer the better, but even 9-carat gold will do. Heat until it is RED HOT, then drop it into a BOWL containing TEN TIMES its weight of FILTERED RAINWATER(thunder-rainwater is ideal, particularly if it has been collected in a nonmetal container before hitting the ground). The water will HISS and SPUTTER furiously, so PROTECT yourself from SCALDING.
2. Retrieve the gold with a glass implement, such as a HEATPROOF GLASS CUP or LADLE, and repeat the process at least another SIX TIMES.
3. By this time, the water will have become saturated with GOLD ATOMS from the CONTRACTING METAL. Filter the LIQUID into a GLASS BOTTLE, and preserve it for MAGICAL USE. Seven or eight drops are SUFFICIENT to charge up to 3oz(85 g) of FLUID CONDENSER.
(You can use a piece of jewelry, such as a gold ring, to make this tincture.)
~Secrets of high magic - Melville