Gold chloride in the 1 gram solid form is usually sold in small glass vials that are sealed to prevent moisture from getting to the gold. However, if you just put the vials away moisture will eventually get in and form a liquid with the gold solid.
In practice, what I do is place the vials in water as soon as I get them from the supplier, and break the seal under water, then add water to 100 ml to make the 1% solution.
Even if moisture has entered the vial and formed a liquid with the gold, it should still work as a toner, though it may be weaker than if you had made up the solution with the dry powder.
That said, I have to admit that working with gold solutions can be very frustrating because of the deliquescent nature of the substance. You can follow the exact instructions used two or six months ago in mixing a gold toner solution, but the results may be totally different. I love the bluish/black look of kallitypes and vandyke prints toner to completion in gold toner, but gold is a fickle lover so beware.
Sandy
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