First Stages of the Fire Stone

Here is the first step in this method of creating the Fire Stone: creating the Kermes mineral. A solution of water and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is mixed with ground stibnite (antimony ore). This "opens" the mineral for further work. The Kermes is precipitated out of this solution of caustic soda and stibnite using acetic acid (this takes a lot of work!). When the Kermes precipitates, it is washed in a soxhlet a few times to get rid of the sodium acetate that forms, then run through the soxhlet with purified vinegar or acetic acid. This may need to be done a few times, so it is a lot of work.