All about gold leaf

Precious metals have a wide range of uses. Today gold leaf is used in various fields. We will tell you more about this unique material.

The official definition is that the thinnest plates of yellow precious metal are called gold leaf (tinsel). One sheet is about 100 nanometers thick. In most cases, gold plates are used for decorative purposes, but they have also found their way in the field of beauty and health.

The texture of the sheets can be different, from perfectly smooth to embossed, with an antique effect. The rich variety allows you to choose any option depending on the desired artistic effect.

The sheets are applied to the surface of the object, which gives the impression that the thing is completely made of gold. The color of the material may differ depending on the impurity of other metals in the composition and other characteristics. For example, colored gold is made up of silver inclusions. The 22-carat tinsel has a slight greenish tint. If in front of you are sheets with a subtle gold tone, then this means that you see 18-carat white gold with leaf.

The chemical formula may include the following components:

• aluminum;

• silver;

• copper;

• zinc.

These components are most commonly used in sheet making.

Although the standard format for selling gold leaf is a book, there are other options in stores.... The precious material is also sold in rolls, powder or flakes.

Gold leaf is actively produced both abroad and in Russia. In the process of its production, companies adhere to certain standards established by law.

All gold leaf that can be found commercially available around the world is manufactured to two standards: Russian standard, which is also abbreviated as РС, and European standard - EU marking.

In the manufacture of thin sheets of precious metal and other impurities of the company adhere to the established GOST... It indicates which components must be in the composition and in what quantity. Material standard - 960 sample.

Gold leaf is sold in book format, where each individual piece of paper is fixed on a special paper that preserves and protects it from damage. The book includes 60 square-shaped sheets, weighing only a few grams. Dimensions -91.5x91.5 mm. This format allows not only storage, but also safe transportation of products.

Coating composition according to Russian standards:

• gold - 96%;

• silver and copper - 1% each;

• other components - 2%.

If you notice in the catalog or on the store shelf product with EU designation, in front of you is a product that is made according to foreign requirements. European countries use a single standard, which is officially registered. Gold leaf books contain 25 sheets, each plate is exactly 80x80 millimeters in size. These are the main characteristics of a European product, by which one can distinguish a domestic manufacturer from a foreign one.

Let's consider tinsel using the example of Noris products. This brand belongs to a well-known German company, which occupies a leading position among numerous manufacturers. Russian buyers also highly appreciated the quality of the European product.

The following products are widely used.

The material is sold in a book of 25 sheets in a size that meets the European standard (80x80 centimeters). The main advantage of the product is its polishing capability. He is also not afraid of corrosion. Disadvantage - the sheets can only be used for interior decoration.

Thin sheets connected with papyrus paper... The buyer can choose the width himself. It ranges from 3 to 110 millimeters. The material is used to cover similar surfaces. To purchase the "Color Card" you need to make an order.

For decorating embossed and structured surfaces, it is more convenient to use not sheets, but tinsel in the form of powder. The European manufacturer offers customers a 23-carat product with a fineness of 960. Customers can choose between two packaging options - 2 or 10 grams.

Gilding leaf has found its application in various fields and is actively used nowadays.

Thin sheets of precious material use for decorative purposes and in the manufacture of works of art. Artists often use gold leaf to add a touch of luxury and elegance to paintings. Also, with the help of metal particles, you can achieve an expressive play of light.

The material is useful in architecture. Covering the volumetric elements with gold sheets, you can achieve an expressive effect.

Tinsel has also found its way into design. With its help, experts add variety to the interior. This element is often used in classic interior decoration. For baroque, rococo and other similar trends, golden elements are the main characteristic.

In arts and crafts this product has been used for a long time. It is used to create various crafts, regardless of their subject matter and complexity.

Working with gilding is very simple and easy, which is why the material has found widespread use. Whether it is gold leaf in the format of thin sheets or fine powder, the main thing is to be careful and follow the rules of its use. Remember that the sheets cannot be taken by hand, otherwise they will simply tear. Soft tissues are used to separate them from the paper, and brushes and other tools are used for application.

The coating fulfills not only a decorative, but also a practical function. A thin layer of metal protects the surface from dust particles, moisture, corrosion and other destructive external influences. Interior painting with the addition of gold leaf is used in the field of design and is still relevant today.

Another area where gold leaf has gained popularity is cooking. Chefs all over the world have been using this original decoration for a long time. Special attention was paid to the shining sheets by culinary experts who use the material to decorate sweets. When it enters the human body, the metal does not pose any danger. It's all about the inertness of the metal and its subtlety.

The dish can be completely covered with gold or only partially decorated with it.. The food supplement E175 is made on the basis of tinsel... The precious glow looks great with a variety of products. Pastries, ice cream, sushi, meat and much more are decorated with gold. Today, the dish, complemented by edible gilding, can be ordered in a restaurant or an elite cafe. This practice has become widespread abroad, but in Russia you can also find specialists working with tinsel.

Particles of precious 960-grade material adorn not only food, but also drinks. Gold flakes are often added to alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. In Japan, you can treat yourself to coffee with the addition of metal. Gilding looks especially charming on cakes for weddings and other large celebrations.

The practice of eating tinsel has been around for a long time. Even in ancient times, thin sheets of spruce were eaten to preserve youth and improve their health. There is an opinion that the use of gold leaf has a beneficial effect on the work of the heart, and also improves the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

The precious material has also found its way into the beauty and health industry. Professional cosmetologists believe that gold is the best helper for preserving youth and getting rid of the signs of aging. It is a widespread procedure during which sheets of metal are applied to the face and other parts of the body. As a result, the condition of the skin is improved. To enhance the beneficial effect, beauticians add oils, herbal extracts and other ingredients to it.

Wellness and treatment using gold can be ordered in almost any premium salon. It should be noted that such procedures are not cheap. At the same time, specialists guarantee a noticeable effect after the first procedures. The skin becomes firm and radiant.

Also, gold leaf is used for the manufacture of cosmetics, which can be used at home.

In cosmetic stores, you can find the following metal-added products:

• eye patches;

• masks;

• oils for body, nails and face;

• serum;

• creams.

The range of products is constantly updated with new products from leading manufacturers.

The cost of gold leaf directly depends on the price of the main material in the precious metals market. To date, one sheet of European production measuring 16x16 centimeters will cost about 160 rubles.

Buyers who use gold in large quantities prefer to purchase it in book format.

Manufacturers offer customers the following options.

1. Gold leaf in a 23 carat book. Number of sheets - 60. Ligature weight - 1 gram. Dimensions - 91.5x91.5 mm. The cost is 6 thousand 600 rubles.
2. Sheets of 23 carat precious material. Dimensions - 91.5x91.5 mm. Weight - 1.25 grams. The cost is 7 thousand 300 rubles.
3. A product with the same characteristics, but weighing 1.4 grams, will cost 7,800 rubles.

The cost of real leaf cover is too expensive for all buyers who would like to frequently use the precious material for decoration and other purposes. In this case, use its substitute called gold leaf. These are sheets of metal that imitate real gold.

The main difference between the products is the composition. In the manufacture of potals, the required color is obtained due to an alloy of zinc, tin, copper and other metals. Many manufacturers use bronze spraying.

It is almost impossible to visually distinguish real gold leaf from gold leaf, especially when it comes to high-quality imitation. The difference will be in the price. The cost of the substitute is much more affordable compared to sheets made of real precious metal. Also you can distinguish products using a certificate confirming the composition of metal sheets.

Despite the outward resemblance, gold has special characteristics... The expensive metal coating is suitable for decorating various types of surfaces.

To perform gilding with tinsel, you need to prepare the following tools.

1. Suede pillow... Without this device, it will not be possible to neatly detach the metal sheet from the paper. Thin plates are also cut on the pillow.
2. Special knife... This is the main tool for separating gold leaf.
3. Lampenzel. Wide flat brush. It is needed to safely transfer the weightless precious material to the desired surface. Also, a brush is used when transferring to a pillow for gilding.
4. Agate. The stone is used to polish the gilded surface. The tool has a smooth tip and a comfortable grip. This procedure is necessary to give the coating an expressive glossy shine.

The traditional method of gilding is chosen to decorate a flat and smooth surface. This option is most often used for wood surfaces and plaster. First you need to level, polish the surface and apply glue to it. The next step is to apply several layers of levkas. This is a special composition of glue and Bolognese plaster.

It is made on the basis of the bolus and other components. When covering the surface with polymer and gesso, completely dry layers are carefully processed and sanded.

As soon as the work surface is prepared, you can start gilding. Dry coating treated with a solution of water with alcohol... Until the liquid is dry with the help of a lampzel, a sheet of gold leaf is applied. Due to the composition described above, the metal plates lie flat. Once precious the metal is stuck to the surface, you can start polishing it.

When applying gold leaf to canvas, use special glue... It securely fixes the thin sheet in the painting. As in the above case, you need a set of tools to work. Once dry, the gold can be polished.

Gilding is often used to protect art objects from damage and negative environmental impact.

You can find out even more interesting information about gold leaf in the following video.