Trimming books, one turned to gold (6)
I believe the answer is:
bauble
'trimming' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bauble that I've seen before include "Small cheap trinket" , "Christmas tree decoration" , "'Bead, trinket (6)'" , "Gaudy toy" , "Showy but valueless ornament" .)