Gold leaf, silver leaf, metal leaf, gilding tools, supplies, methods, and food-safe terms.
Agate burnisher
A polished agate tool used to burnish suitable gilded surfaces.
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Bole
A clay ground used in traditional water gilding, often under burnished gold leaf.
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Composition gold leaf
Imitation gold-colored metal leaf, not genuine gold leaf.
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Edible gold leaf
Gold leaf sold specifically for culinary use on food and drinks.
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Edible silver leaf
Silver leaf sold specifically for culinary use, including sweets and pastry.
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Foil
A thicker specialty material; not automatically genuine leaf or edible.
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Genuine gold leaf
Real gold alloy beaten into extremely thin leaf for gilding.
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Genuine silver leaf
Real silver beaten into thin leaf for decorative gilding.
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Gilder’s cushion
A working pad used with loose leaf and a gilder’s knife.
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Gilder’s tip
A soft brush used to lift and place loose leaf.
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Gilding size
The adhesive layer used to attach gold leaf, silver leaf, metal leaf, or foil to a prepared surface.
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Glass gold
Higher-quality gold leaf selected for fewer pinholes and irregularities.
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Imitation gold leaf
Gold-colored decorative metal leaf, not real gold.
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Karats
A measure of gold content; 24k is pure gold and lower karats are alloys.
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Loose leaf
Leaf supplied loose in a booklet, handled with gilding tools.
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Patent leaf
Leaf attached to backing paper for easier handling and transfer.
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Palladium leaf
A precious metal leaf often used for silver-colored, tarnish-resistant decorative work.
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Ribbon leaf
Leaf supplied in roll/ribbon format for lines, borders, lettering, and long runs.
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Sealer
A protective coating used when the leaf/material/project requires it.
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Surface gold
Loose gold leaf used for surface gilding and traditional work.
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Tarnish
Discoloration that can affect silver, copper-alloy metal leaf, and some imitation leaves.
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Water gilding
Traditional gilding method often used with gesso and bole for burnishable work.
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