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What is the difference between Chinese and European Gold leaf?
Other than cost, is there a difference between Chinese and European metal and gold leaf?
In short, YES.
Many factors play a role in determining the differnce between gold leaf manufacturered in Europe and gold produced in China. These include size of leaf, thickness of leaf and alloy blend, a ratio of gold content to other alloys, typically silver and copper.
The equiptment used in the beating of gold leaf is standardized so the leaf size and thickness for each manufacturer fall within very close paramiters. Genuine Gold, Silver and Palladium Leaf are 3 3/8" sq (85mm - European) and 3 1/8" sq. (80mm - Chinese) and beaten to approx. 0.5 microns thick. Each pack of leaf contains 20 books. Each book contains 25 lvs, with a total of 500 leaves per pack. Approx. coverage: Italian/German is 39 sqft. and Cihinese is 35 sqft.
About European Gold Leaf
The standard square size of European Gold leaf is 85mm or 3 3/8" square. The thickness of the leaf is approx 0.3-0.5 microns. Chinese leaf is typically smaller than European gold leaf, measuring 80mm sq or 3 1/8" sq.
Other than size, the biggest difference is the density of the leaf, which is measured in grams by the weight of gold per 1000 lvs.
With our Eurpoean leaf we can offer a variety of gram weights to suit the needs of your specific project. Gram weight is determined by the weight of 1000 leaves of 3 3/8 inch square gold leaf. This relates more to 'density' of leaf rather than thickness. Each leaf is beaten to approx. 0.5 microns thick. The weight changes by the amount of gold content per leaf. A Eurpoean 23kt Gold leaf is 16 grams per 1000 leaves. Alternately, the equivalent Chinese 23kt gold leaf weighs 13 grams per 1000 lvs, and is therefore less dense than the European gold leaf equivalent. The European leaf will be firmer, is less likely to tear and may show less wrinkling in the final product (depending on your gilding technique).
European leaf is perfectly suited for exterior gold applications and any project that requires a higher level of luster and brilliance.
About Chinese Gold Leaf
The standard square size of Chinese Gold leaf is 80mm or 3 1/8" square. The thickness of the leaf is approx 0.3-0.5 microns. Eurpoean Gold leaf is typically larger than Chinese gold leaf, measuring 85mm sq or 3 3/8" sq.
Other than size, the biggest difference is the density of the leaf, which is measured in grams by the weight of gold per 1000 lvs.
Gram weight is determined by the weight of 1000 leaves of 3 1/8 inch square gold leaf. This relates more to 'density' of leaf rather than thickness. Each leaf is beaten to approx. 0.5 microns thick. The weight changes by the amount of gold content per leaf.
A Chinese 23kt gold leaf weighs 13 grams per 1000 leaves. Alternately, the equivalent Eurpoean 23kt Gold leaf is 16 grams per 1000 lvs, and is therefore less dense than the European gold leaf equivalent.
With our Eurpoean leaf we can offer a variety of gram weights to suit the needs of your specific project. The European leaf will be firmer, is less likely to tear and may show less wrinkling in the final product (depending on your gilding technique).
Same leaf Different packaging
What's the difference between Loose leaf, Patent or transfer leaf and Ribbon leaf?
It's all in the packaging! This video shows it all. Essentially the leaf is all the same, it's just packaged differently.