Our jewellery is currently crafted with a thick layer of 18K gold over a brass base. We are always honest about our materials — this is not solid gold or vermeil; it is high-quality gold plating designed to outlast standard fashion jewellery. We are actively working toward gold vermeil and gold filled as incah grows.
FAQ
- What is your jewellery made from?
- What does gold plated mean?
- What is the difference between 1 micron and 2 micron plating?
- Is your jewellery real gold?
- Why do you use brass as a base metal?
- Will my jewellery tarnish?
- How is incah different from other jewellery brands at a similar price?
- Is your jewellery waterproof?
- Can I shower with my Incah jewellery on?
- Can I wear it to the gym and sweat?
- Can I swim in the ocean or pool with it on?
- What should I avoid to keep my jewellery looking its best?
- What is the honest wear expectation for daily water exposure?
- Is your jewellery safe for sensitive skin?
- Does your jewellery contain nickel?
- Will the jewellery turn my skin green?
- How do I care for my incah jewellery?
- How long will my jewellery last?
- Can I sleep in my jewellery?
- How should I store my jewellery?
- Can I use jewellery cleaner on my pieces?
- Do you offer free shipping?
- How long will my order take to arrive?
- Do you ship internationally?
- The Leave-It-On Guarantee
- What is incah and why was it created?
- Why are we so transparent about our materials?
- How can I contact incah?
- What is your jewellery made from?
- What does gold plated mean?
- What is the difference between 1 micron and 2 micron plating?
- Is your jewellery real gold?
- Why do you use brass as a base metal?
- Will my jewellery tarnish?
- How is incah different from other jewellery brands at a similar price?
What is your jewellery made from?
What does gold plated mean?
Gold plated means a layer of gold has been applied to a base metal — in our case, brass — using an electroplating process. The thickness of that gold layer matters enormously for how long the piece lasts. Most fashion jewellery is plated at 0.5 microns or less. Our pieces are plated at 1–2 microns of 18K gold — significantly thicker than standard fashion jewellery and designed to last longer with daily wear.
What is the difference between 1 micron and 2 micron plating?
A micron is one thousandth of a millimetre. The thickness of the gold layer directly affects how long the piece holds its colour and finish under daily wear. Our earrings are plated at 1 micron — suitable for everyday wear with normal care. Our rings and necklaces are plated at 2 microns — four times thicker than the 0.5 micron standard used by most fashion jewellery brands, and significantly more durable for daily use.
Is your jewellery real gold?
Our jewellery features a genuine 18K gold layer — 18K means the gold used in the plating is 75% pure gold, which gives our pieces their warm, rich colour. The gold layer is applied over a brass base. This is not solid gold. We believe you deserve to know exactly what you are buying.
Why do you use brass as a base metal?
Brass is a strong, lightweight, and workable base metal that allows us to create well-designed pieces at an accessible price point. Our gold plating is designed to protect the brass from skin contact.
Will my jewellery tarnish?
All gold plated jewellery will eventually show wear — we will be honest with you about that. What we can tell you is that our pieces are plated significantly thicker than standard fashion jewellery, which means they maintain their appearance much longer with normal everyday use. With proper care — rinsing after salt or pool exposure, avoiding harsh chemicals, and storing in a cool dry place — your piece should look great for many months to years of continuous wear.
How is incah different from other jewellery brands at a similar price?
Most brands at our price point use vague language like 'premium gold' or 'high quality' without explaining what that actually means. We tell you exactly what you are buying — the base metal, the plating thickness, the gold purity, and the realistic wear expectations. We also back our pieces with a 30 Day Wear Guarantee, which most jewellery brands do not offer. Our goal is to be the most honest brand in our category — because we believe transparency builds more trust than any marketing claim.
- Is your jewellery waterproof?
- Can I shower with my Incah jewellery on?
- Can I wear it to the gym and sweat?
- Can I swim in the ocean or pool with it on?
- What should I avoid to keep my jewellery looking its best?
- What is the honest wear expectation for daily water exposure?
Is your jewellery waterproof?
Our jewellery is water resistant — designed to handle everyday water exposure including showers, hand washing, and light swimming. We will not claim it is waterproof, because no gold plated jewellery over a brass base technically is. What we can honestly say is that our pieces are designed and tested for daily wear in normal water conditions and will outlast standard fashion jewellery significantly when cared for properly.
Can I shower with my Incah jewellery on?
Yes — our pieces are designed for daily shower wear. Normal shower water is fine for regular use. We recommend rinsing your piece with clean water after showering if any additional product has been in contact with your pieces, and patting dry gently. Over time, repeated exposure to soap products can accelerate wear on any plated piece, so a quick rinse is all it takes to maximise longevity.
Can I wear it to the gym and sweat?
Yes. Our pieces are designed for active, everyday life. Sweat is mildly acidic which can accelerate plating wear over time, but for normal gym use your piece should hold up well. We recommend a quick rinse with fresh water after gym sessions to remove salt and keep your piece looking its best for longer.
Can I swim in the ocean or pool with it on?
We recommend caution with prolonged saltwater and chlorinated water exposure. A quick dip or beach swim is generally fine — but extended ocean or pool swimming will accelerate plating wear over time. If you do swim in salt or chlorinated water, rinse your piece thoroughly with fresh water straight afterwards and dry gently. This simple step makes a significant difference to longevity.
What should I avoid to keep my jewellery looking its best?
The main things to avoid are:
- Prolonged exposure to saltwater or chlorinated water
- Perfume, hairspray, and dry shampoo sprayed directly onto the piece
- Harsh cleaning products, hand sanitiser, and bleach
- Hot tubs and spas — heat accelerates chemical reactions
- Sleeping in perfume or skincare products — apply these first, let them absorb, then put your jewellery on
What is the honest wear expectation for daily water exposure?
With daily shower wear and normal activity, our 2 micron pieces should maintain their appearance for many months to years depending on care and exposure. Our 1 micron pieces are designed for daily wear but may show gradual wear slightly sooner given the thinner plating. We believe in setting realistic expectations — our pieces are not solid gold and will not last forever, but they will significantly outlast standard fashion jewellery when cared for with the simple steps above.
- Is your jewellery safe for sensitive skin?
- Does your jewellery contain nickel?
- Will the jewellery turn my skin green?
Is your jewellery safe for sensitive skin?
Our jewellery has been independently tested for nickel release by TST Testing Technology, a third party laboratory, using European standard EN1811:2011+A1:2015. All three samples tested returned N.D. — Not Detected — meaning no measurable nickel was found in any sample tested. This result is well within compliant levels for both pierced and skin-contact jewellery under European safety standards. Individual skin sensitivities vary, but our testing provides strong evidence that our pieces are suitable for sensitive skin.
Does your jewellery contain nickel?
Our independent nickel release test conducted by TST Testing Technology returned no detectable nickel across all samples tested — below the Method Detection Limit of 0.10 μg/cm²/week. We are compliant with European Directive 94/27/EC and 2004/96/EC nickel release standards.
Will the jewellery turn my skin green?
Green skin discolouration occurs when the base metal — in our case brass — reacts with your skin's chemistry and oxidises. This typically happens when the gold layer has worn thin or when the piece is exposed to moisture repeatedly without care. Our 1–2 micron gold plating provides a protective barrier against this. Following our simple care guidelines — rinsing after water exposure, avoiding chemicals, and storing properly — significantly reduces the likelihood of discolouration.
- How do I care for my incah jewellery?
- How long will my jewellery last?
- Can I sleep in my jewellery?
- How should I store my jewellery?
- Can I use jewellery cleaner on my pieces?
How do I care for my incah jewellery?
Caring for your incah pieces is intentionally simple — we designed it that way:
- Rinse with fresh water after salt or chlorine exposure
- Pat dry gently with a soft cloth — do not rub vigorously
- Apply perfume, sunscreen, and skincare before putting your jewellery on
- Store in a cool dry place when not wearing
- Use a polishing cloth occasionally to restore shine
How long will my jewellery last?
With normal daily wear and basic care our pieces are designed to maintain their appearance for many months to years. The 2 micron pieces — our rings and necklaces — are our most durable and should last the longest under continuous wear. Our 1 micron pieces are designed for everyday wear and will gradually show wear over time as all plated jewellery does. We back every piece with a 30 Day Wear Guarantee — if something does not perform as expected in the first 30 days of normal wear, we will make it right.
Can I sleep in my jewellery?
Yes — our pieces are designed for continuous wear including sleep. The main consideration for overnight wear is to ensure your skin is free of perfume or active skincare ingredients that could react with the gold layer while you sleep. If you moisturise before bed, let it fully absorb before wearing your jewellery to sleep.
How should I store my jewellery?
Store your pieces in a cool and dry place. Keep them away from direct sunlight, humidity, and other jewellery that could scratch the surface. Avoid storing in plastic bags — these can trap moisture and accelerate tarnishing.
Can I use jewellery cleaner on my pieces?
We recommend avoiding commercial jewellery cleaners on plated pieces — many contain chemicals that strip gold plating. The safest and most effective cleaning method is warm water with a tiny drop of mild dish soap, applied gently with a soft cloth, rinsed thoroughly, and patted dry. A polishing cloth is ideal for restoring everyday shine without any liquid.
- Do you offer free shipping?
- How long will my order take to arrive?
- Do you ship internationally?
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — we offer free standard shipping on all Australian orders over $100 AUD. For orders below this threshold, standard shipping rates apply at checkout.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Australian orders are dispatched within 1–2 business days and typically arrive within 3–7 business days depending on your location. Express shipping options are available at checkout for faster delivery.
Do you ship internationally?
Not currently.
- The Leave-It-On Guarantee
The Leave-It-On Guarantee
We designed incah to be worn, not managed — so we back every piece with a promise that matches the way we tell you to wear it.
Wear your incah piece every day for 30 days. Shower in it. Sweat in it. Live in it. If it doesn't hold up the way we've described under normal daily wear, tell us and we'll make it right.
What does 'make it right' mean under the guarantee?
Depending on the issue, we'll replace the piece, offer store credit, or provide a refund. We look at every case individually, and we always aim to resolve it in a way that leaves you feeling good about your purchase. We're a small business, and your trust means everything to us.
Contact us at: contact@incah.com.au
- What is incah and why was it created?
- Why are we so transparent about our materials?
- How can I contact incah?
What is incah and why was it created?
incah was created for women who are done taking their jewellery off. We built Incah because everyday jewellery was not actually designed for everyday life — pieces tarnished, faded, irritated skin, and required constant removal. We wanted to fix that with jewellery that is honest about what it is, designed for real daily wear, and priced so that quality does not have to be a luxury. That is the incah mission — and it informs every decision we make.
Why are we so transparent about our materials?
Because we believe you deserve to know exactly what you are buying. Most jewellery brands use vague language — 'premium gold', 'high quality', 'luxury feel' —without telling you the base metal, plating thickness, or realistic wear expectations. We tell you all of it — the base metal, the plating thickness, the karat of gold, and what that means for how long it will last. That transparency is the entire point.
How can I contact incah?
We are a real team and we read every message. Email us at contact@incah.com.au and we will respond within 24 hours on business days. If you have a question about an order, a sizing request, or just want advice on which piece is right for you — we genuinely love hearing from our customers.
