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In the Fullmetal Alchemist manga/2009 anime, we learn that alchemists must
obey three rules:

> Do not oppose the military
>
> Do the transmute gold
>
> Do not do human transmutation

Moreover, at one point in the early manga (probably chapter 3, according to
Wikipedia), we see Ed transmute what appears to be gold from rocks, when he is
duping Yoki into selling him rights to Youswell. (However, in the context of
my question below, this might also be attributed to [early-installment
weirdness](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EarlyInstallmentWeirdness),
since in the corresponding episode in the 2003 anime - episode 9 - I think we
see Ed giving Yoki rocks that have been coated with gold from coins Ed got
from Yoki.)

Both of the above seem to imply that transmuting gold is possible in the FMA
universe, yet this seems to be contradictory given some other manga details.
[In the first chapter, we learn from Al that with alchemy, one can only
transmute like from like.](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6cCgk.jpg) Being me, I
read this to imply that the sort of conservation of mass alluded to when
chemical equations are balanced _generally_ applies in terms of what alchemy
can do the FMA universe (at least in the more practical, mundane examples we
see in the manga). (On a second read, I'm really not sure if that's a
"correct" interpretation.)

Thus: is transmuting gold actually taken to be something possible in the FMA
universe (or is it even possible to come to a conclusion about this)?


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fullmetal-alchemist-series
Can gold be transmuted in the Fullmetal Alchemist continuity?


Yes, transmuting gold is possible (at least in the manga). The reason why it's
forbidden is stated later in the series: It's forbidden so nobody can destroy
the economy by making the gold worthless.

The mass is also conserved, I see no problem there. A ton of coal makes a ton
of gold. Equal mass :).

Note: In the first adaption, Ed did not transmutate gold but instead coated
the coal in gold. Either it's not possible in the 2003 anime or he didn't want
to violate the law. (Thanks to キルア)


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When the Elric brothers go to Youswell in the beginning of the 2003 series.
They don't actually transmute coal into gold, but rather Edward uses the gold
coins that Yoki bribed him with to cover the coal.

This was not the case in the manga though. As you can see he says that "by
logic" he should be able to transmute the same amount of coal into the same
amount of gold.

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/EHqjum.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/EHqju.jpg)
[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/MSnS4m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/MSnS4.jpg)

_Click for enlarged image._

And then here he really does transmute coal into gold, which he later gives to
Yoki (and performs a reverse transmutation...)


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Yo, guys. I'll try to clear some of this up. In the manga(and as I see it, the
true canon, being that it was made first) Ed turns Sludge(coal dust in ViZ
version) in to Gold. As stated earlier, Sludge has trace amounts of metals in
it, being that it comes from mining coal, and being that coal is under ground,
where we find metal, it is possible to convert coal sludge in to gold. More
difficult than just straight up metal, since you can never tell how much metal
is in the sludge without a proper examination, which Ed never did. Again, this
is all based on the manga, being that it was the original story and ultimate
source if you can't consult the author. I hope this cleared it up at least a
bit, thanks for reading.


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Gold on the periodic table is Au.

Alchemy is the science of deconstructing and reconstructing matter.

Simply put so long as we are talking about taking apart and rebuilding
compounds one would only need to separate gold from any existing compounds.
This is suggested in several episodes, yet still, it is never made explicit.
This would mean that no. It is not possible to create gold from compounds not
containing Au.

Au is actually kinda rare in everyday items. Seawater contains a small amount
of it, yet most things that use gold use gold in it's purest form to conduct
electricity.

If it is deconstructing atoms to base protons, electrons and neutrons and
reordering them to have the properties of AU then yes it is possible and easy.
It is suggested that this isn't the case but the existence the "law of
equivalent exchange". No alchemist would need any specific ingredients because
they can create pretty much anything out of anything else.

The former is suggested in several episodes, yet the possibility to create
gold is suggested in the law that state alchemists can not create gold.

So the correct answer. _Shrug_ Full metal alchemist doesn't let real science
get in the way if it's fun. Which is a good thing.


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It's important to remember that alchemy in FMA follows the Law of Equivalent
exchange... Essentially a more lenient version of the 2nd law of thermal
Dynamics.

Mass is not the only ingredient conserved, energy must be conserved as well.
Transmutation of rocks into differently shaped rocks can be accomplished with
the geothermal energy available in the environment or Philosopher's Stones but
changing the composition of elements would take orders of magnitude more
energy.

Perhaps why such exact ingredients are required for human transmutation is to
avoid a rebound... Or make them less likely.

Of course any mining castoff should contain a large enough amount of Iron and
Sulphur to produce loads of Pyrite, if that energy wasn't available.


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