Philosopher's Stone

The Philosopher's Stone is more of an idea rather than a rock. It's the idea that you can turn lead to gold, water to wine, and mortality into immortality. It is the transformation from basic-level items to something refined and valuable. The trouble with this transfiguration, is that it's all based on a fallible value judgement. What's so wrong with lead being lead anyway? Who said gold was "better," and what were their deciding factors? And as for immortality, anyone who's been alive long enough to be considered immortal will tell you that "immortality" doesn't live up to its expectations.