The present invention relates to an aqueous colloidal gold solution, comprising (a) nano-particular gold particles, (b) a compound having a polar tertiary amino group conjugated via a hydrophobic aromatic residue with a weaker alkaline group, and (c) a stabilizer comprising a mercapto group (--SH) and an acidic group, in particular a sulfonic acid group (--SO.sub.3.sup.-). This gold solution uses an ecologically compatible medium and is suited in an especial manner for writing and for printing, also for inkjet printers, since it has a long-term storage life and generates an attractive metal-like gold sheen.