Hi Gav,
           I recently purchased a USB Digital Microscope....with a mag of up to 200x . It is fantastic, allows you to take snap shots via the PC. I highly recommend one...and they are relatively cheap (around £60 ) When I get a chance I will add some images created with the microscope so that you can see the results  
 
   I do not think talc would help much, wouldn't it just highlight the cross hatching to which the gold is applied  

 or am I mistaken
Kind Regards David