Is gold leaf real gold?

Yes, genuine gold leaf is real gold. It is produced by beating gold into sheets of extreme thinness — typically around 100 nanometres for 24ct leaf — thin enough to be translucent when held to the light. That thinness is what makes the material usable as a surface application while using a very small quantity of the actual metal.

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What 'ct' or 'k' means in gold

The caratt figure (ct or k) denotes purity. 24ct gold leaf is pure gold. 22ct contains a small proportion of other metals, which shifts the colour temperature slightly warmer or cooler depending on the alloy.

12ct is closer to half gold by weight, also called white gold, with a noticeably different visual character.

Roman works primarily with 24ct in his current practice, which produces the purest, brightest surface. Some of the art also incudes 12ct and 22ct for their distinct qualities.

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The difference from imitation leaf

Imitation gold leaf is made from other metals, typically brass or copper alloys, which are then coated to resemble gold. It costs considerably less and is widely used in commercial gilding.

The main difference is longevity: imitation leaf tarnishes over time, particularly in humid conditions, developing a dull surface that cannot be restored. Pure gold does not ever tarnish. A work gilded properly with 24ct gold leaf will hold its surface character indefinitely under stable conditions.

The visual character of the two materials is also different in person, even when imitation leaf is freshly applied. Genuine gold leaf has a warmth and depth that the brighter, more uniform surface of imitation leaf does not produce. The difference is most visible under raking light or when the surface has been applied over a textured ground.

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Why it matters for collecting

Acquiring a gold leaf work made with genuine metal is a categorically different from acquiring one made with imitation leaf or gold paint. The material's durability and its optical character depend on it being real. Any serious gold leaf work should specify the ct of the leaf used and whether it is genuine or imitation.

In David Roman’s art, genuine gold leaf is used as part of a broader inquiry into human consciousness and our value in a culture driven by data and attention extraction.