Shell-GOLD, is that used by the gilders and illuminers, and with which gold letters are written. It is made by grinding gold leaves, or gold-beaters fragments, with a little honey, and afterwards separating the honey from the powdered gold by means of water. When the honey is washed away, the gold may be put on paper or kept in shells; whence its name. When it is used, it is diluted with gum-water or soap-suds. The German gold-powder, prepared from the Dutch gold-leaf in the same manner, is generally used; and when it is well scoured with varnish, answers the end in japanners gilding as well as the genuine.