Gold Leaf and other metal leafs are the real thing. The pictures don't adequately communicate the beauty of real gold leaf. They can't capture the effect of light, and movement of the viewer.
Gold leaf on an awning. The white look is a result of the glare of reflected light.
Variegated leaf on a vehicle.
A couple of fantasy marbles with some gold and copper leafs.
Dark purple marble, more subtle than shown here. On carved Gatorfoam.
These letters shine like lights.