Gilding the edges of book pages and stationery is a process requiring sanding the edges before applying a thin film of gold foil. Although decorative, gilding also protects the pages from discoloring due to the natural oil in human hands. There is evidence of gilding on the edges of calligraphic texts dating back to the ninth century in Turkey.
The popular term "gilt-edged securities" describes investments that are almost risk-free. It originally referred to debt securities that had a gilt edge issued by the Bank of England. It has also been used to characterize financial incentives provided by companies to lure new employees and and retain valued ones. Gilt-edged incentives sometimes are called the "golden hello" and "golden handcuff."
"Gilt-edged" sometimes is an adjective applied to wealthy people. Promoting the story line of its murder mystery game involving a multimillionaire, the video game manufacturer says, "One gilt-edged society dame is dead."
Gilt Edge, Montana, was an 1893 gold-mining camp that is now a ghost town.