Gold leaf is gold that has been hammered into extremely thin sheets and is often used for gilding. Gilding or gold leafing is the layering of gold leaf over a surface. Gold leaf is available in a wide variety of karats and shades with 22-karat yellow gold being the most commonly used.
Gold leaf is sometimes confused with metal leaf but they are different products. The term metal leaf is normally used for thin sheets of metal of any colour that do not contain any real gold. 24 karats is pure gold. Real yellow gold leaf is about 92% pure gold. Silver coloured white gold is approximately 50% pure gold.
These also come in powder forms.
A coloured size is used which consists of a varnish and a pigment (usually yellow or red). Once this has almost dried the gold is introduced, either loose leaf (using a squirrel haired brush) or on a transfer sheet. This process can be repeated as often as is required.
Gold does not tarnish easily so a protective covering is not always required.
