It is the qualities of gold that make it one of the most coveted
metals in the world. Not only can it be beautifully shaped and sculpted,
it can be beaten into a sheet thin enough to be transparent. Gold in
its purest form or when it is 24 carat pure, and when made into
extremely thin leaf and flakes, is edible and used as a decorative
element in food and drinks. In ancient times, edible gold was also used
to decorate table fruit and lend an extravagant touch to royal banquets.
