How can you remove gold leaf from a glazed plate?
I have two dessert plates with 22-K gold leaf borders. I want to trash the dishes but wonder if I can extract the gold.
I think even with gold prices this would not be worth it. The gold they use in leafing is unbelievably thin. I've leafed, so i'm familiar with it. A pack of 25 sheets of 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" 22 carat gold leaf is about $40 i think, and the amount you are talking about is less than one leaf. (See below i just looked it up to confirm). Leaf is so thin, in fact, that i've seen it float on air (no, i'm not making this up!) 
Why not just sell the dishes on Ebay? Lots of people want replacement dishes and such. You'd probably make a lot more money that way.
 |
 6x Crystal Flower Guaze Leaf Wedding Hair Pin Gold $3.21 Time Remaining: 6h 2m |
 Gold Leaf Organza Wedding Jewellery Favour Gift Bags $2.42 Time Remaining: 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $2.42 |
 Gold and Silver Love heart Confetti Bridal Wedding $6.30 Time Remaining: 15h 51m Buy It Now for only: $6.30 |
 Bridal Faux Pearl Leaf Gold Plated Headband Tiara T1111 $9.99 Time Remaining: 17h 28m |
 3x Thai Gold Leafs Flowers Headsets Worn in Weddings Thailand Outfit Hairpin $13.94 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 39m Buy It Now for only: $13.94 |
 New Sexy Bridal Wedding Garter Gold Purple Black Prom $23.95 Time Remaining: 1d 11h Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 Bridal Wedding Jewelry Set Necklace Rhinestone Pearl Leaf Gold Ivory Cream $24.50 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 3m Buy It Now for only: $24.50 |
 Bridal Jewelry Crystal Rhinestone Pearl Leaf Stretch Bracelet Gold Ivory Creme $16.50 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 11m Buy It Now for only: $16.50 |
 Bridal Crystal Faux Pearl Leaf Leaves Gold Tiara T1276 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 27m |
 Gold Bridal Flower Leaf Rhinestone Crystal Pearl Wedding Headband Tiara 6362 $13.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 18m |
 Leaf Concept Bridal Bouquet White Gold Cowrie Shells $120.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 34m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 BULK WHOLESALE Organza Wedding Favor Gift Bags Pouches $45.81 Time Remaining: 2d 8h Buy It Now for only: $45.81 |
 Assorted Mixed Organza Wedding Favor Gift Bags Pouches $5.69 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 15m Buy It Now for only: $5.69 |
 Bridal Leaves Leaf Gold Plated Headpiece Tiara T1107 $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 45m |
 Gold Salix Leaves Organza Wedding Favor Gift Bags Pouch $2.69 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 50m Buy It Now for only: $2.69 |
 FALL MAPLE LEAVES GOLD IVORY WEDDING GARTER GARTERS $15.95 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 5m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 |
 GOLD MAPLE LEAVE WEDDING GARTER GARTERS AUTUMN FALL SET $16.95 Time Remaining: 6d 14h 56m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 Gold and Silver Love heart Confetti Bridal Wedding $6.30 Time Remaining: 7d 6h 25m Buy It Now for only: $6.30 |
 New Navy Blue Gold Black Wedding Garter Boat Anchor $23.95 Time Remaining: 8d 19h 43m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 Two Tone Long Brown Gold Leaf Pearl Sterling Silver Wedding Earrings Kirsten USA $38.08 Time Remaining: 9d 18h 56m Buy It Now for only: $38.08 |
 Vine Leaf Tennis Bracelet Wedding Bridal Jewelry Bride $7.95 Time Remaining: 11d 2h 7m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 GOLD MAPLE LEAVES WEDDING GARTER GARTERS AUTUMN FALL $16.95 Time Remaining: 11d 18h 12m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 Two Tone Gold Peridot Green Leaf Crystal Earrings VE588 $10.99 Time Remaining: 11d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 Bridal Faux Pearl Leaf Gold Plated Headband Tiara T1111 $12.99 Time Remaining: 15d 1h 24m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 New Navy Blue Gold Black White Wedding Garter Anchor $23.95 Time Remaining: 15d 15h 53m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 Leaf Rhinestone Gold Necklace Set Bridal Veil 0501 $9.99 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 31m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 mini gold leaf tiara with pearls by radiance WM3664 bridal tiara simple $149.00 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 19m Buy It Now for only: $149.00 |
 Brown Gold Leaf Pearl Sterling Silver Wedding Earrings $55.76 Time Remaining: 18d 10h 47m Buy It Now for only: $55.76 |
 Leaf Organza Wedding Favor Gift Bags Pouches 7x9cm XE $2.42 Time Remaining: 18d 15h 20m Buy It Now for only: $2.42 |
 Bridal Wedding Crystal Leaves Gold Plate Tiara T1107 $15.01 Time Remaining: 19d 32m Buy It Now for only: $15.01 |
 TABLE BED RUNNERS WEDDING PARTY DECOR 100THAI SILK 206x32cm 23 DESIGNS RRP39 $17.15 Time Remaining: 19d 4h 18m Buy It Now for only: $17.15 |
 Bridal Leaves Leaf Gold Plated Headpiece Tiara T1107 $16.99 Time Remaining: 20d 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 Pink Rose Lampwork Gold Leaf Spring Artisan Drop Earrings Handmade Kirsten KTUSA $24.96 Time Remaining: 20d 18h 49m Buy It Now for only: $24.96 |
 New Sexy Navy Blue Gold White Black Wedding Garter Prom $23.95 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 5m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 Elegant Gold Flower Leaf Garden Pearl Rhinestone Pearl Headband $78.95 Time Remaining: 22d 11h 43m Buy It Now for only: $78.95 |
 Gold Party Wedding Tiara Crown Crystal Heart with Leaf $10.99 Time Remaining: 23d 18h 13m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 Fall Autumn WEDDING GARTER Set Leaves Burgundy Gold $22.99 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 8m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
 Gold Textured Leaves Rhinestone Flower Bridal Wedding Hair Clip Vintage Inspired $34.99 Time Remaining: 24d 23h 1m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Bridal Faux Pearl Leaf Leaves Gold Tiara T1276 $16.99 Time Remaining: 25d 6h 45m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 10 x 24K Edible Gold Leaf Christmas Cakes Confectionary $12.62 Time Remaining: 26d 1h 56m Buy It Now for only: $12.62 |
 Gold Headband Pink RhineStone Leaves Tiara 9246 $9.99 Time Remaining: 27d 3h 31m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 FALL MAPLE LEAVES GOLD IVORY WEDDING GARTER GARTERS $15.95 Time Remaining: 27d 15h 3m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 |
 Art Deco Style Sprayed Gold Leaf Burgundy Cocktail Hat $119.99 Time Remaining: 27d 16h 7m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 Gold Bridal Flower Leaf Rhinestone Crystal Pearl Wedding Headband Tiara 6362 $14.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 32m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 FREE SHIP New Sexy Gold Black Wedding Garter DLB Heart $23.95 Time Remaining: 29d 19h 43m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |