Imitation Gold Leaf Vs Real Gold Leaf

Supplier of high quality gold silver and other precious metal leaf plus gilding tools supplies and accessories.

Imitation gold leaf vs real gold leaf.

This detailed step by step tutorial shows you how to apply genuine gold silver imitation gold alum. Difference between gold leaf and imitation gold leaf. Gilding with imitation gold leaf which is actually just brass. If you touch real 24k gold leafs it will stick at your hand on the other side touching a gold leaf on base imitation it will not be so sticky and easier to apply.

After you put the leaf on the surface use a brush to apply. Because this is imitation gold foil it. Real gold leaf is made of mostly pure gold and comes in different karats. 1 composition of gold leaf i e imitation gold.

Composition gold leaf is 86 copper and 15 zinc. Imitation or composite gold leaf is made of copper and zinc and comes in a few variations of gold colors. The package says its comparable in brilliance to 23 kt gold. I usually wear cotton gloves while doing this but i didn t have any available at that moment.

There are advantages to using imitation leaf. Sometimes it take s a little detective work and sometimes it can be very apparent. You can actually handle this leaf with your fingers something you could never do with genuine gold leaf. Apply the gold leaf carefully by peeling off the paper wrapping and avoid touching the leaf.

All that glitters is not gold and it is the master gilder who makes visible the difference between an object covered with gold paint imitation gold leaf and 22 or 23 karat gold leaf. There are two different types of gold leaf you can purchase real gold leaf and imitation gold leaf. The gold composition leaf unlike pure gold is an alloy which means that it must be sealed to prevent oxidizing from long air exposure. It s all in the packaging.

As well as being much cheaper than real gold leaf it is a little thicker and so is easier to handle and this makes a big difference if you are considering gilding for the first time.