What is Gold Leaf?
Gold leaf is an ultra-thin layer of pure gold used by crafters to create a gilded appearance on projects such as picture frames, sculptures and book bindings. The application of gold leaf through a process known as water gilding can be very labor-intensive and challenging for beginners. Gold leaf is extremely fragile by nature, and will adhere to almost any moistened surface. Professional gilders suggest it could take months of practice to become proficient at handling gold leaf. Since pure gold is an element, not a compound or alloy, it can be compressed to nearly the atomic level without destroying its structure. This means gold could literally be pounded in a layer so thin sunlight could pass through it. This property of gold is essential to the creation of gold leaf. During ancient times, craftsmen would create gold leaf by placing a quantity of gold between two leather straps and pounding it by hand for weeks or months until the gold became exceptionally thin. The gold leaf could
