It may be difficult if you are already accustomed to more mundane ways of shaping metal such as smithing or forging. There are some fundamental differences between alchemy and smithing however: a smith has to fold and hammer the metal they shape and it is the process which gives each tool or weapon its unique properties. Alchemy takes the raw material and fashions it directly into the end result, but the final product lacks any of the folds in steel which go into forging a strong blade. 'Tis the difference between something decorative and something functional.

[ It is, of course, a bit more varied than that. His example only accounts for swords. For now, however, Emet-Selch takes a small piece of raw amethyst and some gold scrap, arranging them on top of a piece of paper with an alchemical circle he had prepared yesterday. ]

Nyx. [ At his call, the gwiber bounds up, landing on a perch made just for it. He closes his eyes and focuses on the paper, holding a hand above it. The circle begins to glow-- then flashes as he snaps his fingers. A small earring is left behind, set with a very rough and inelegant-looking jewel. It is still clearly raw. ]

You can see here that the amethyst yet retains its raw veneer. Alchemy will not remove the impurities from your ingredients on its own. Not like this at least. [ He taps the circle on the paper. ]