Wikijunior:The Elements/Nickel

Nickel's symbol on the Periodic Table

What does it look, feel, taste, or smell like?

Nickel is a silvery‑white metal. Polishing creates a bright, metallic luster, but after being exposed to air it appears slightly duller and grayer. Air creates a thin protective oxide layer.

Pure metallic nickel feels cool, smooth, and solid to the touch. It feels cool because it draws warmth from the skin. Its surface is typically hard, polished, and glass‑like, without texture or grain. Nickel is hard, strong, and resists corrosion.

Nickel metal would probably seem to have a mild metallic (sharp, tangy) taste, but this sensation comes from reactions in your mouth—not from any inherent flavor of nickel.

Nickel metal is completely odorless. It has no intrinsic smell. Elemental nickel produces no detectable scent for the human nose. Any “metallic” smell people associate with objects containing nickel comes from reactions between skin oils and the metal surface. These reactions create organic compounds that do have an odor.

How was it discovered?

In 1751, a Swedish mineralogist and chemist discovered nickel. His name was Axel Fredrik Cronstedt. He found it while studying the ore kupfernickel (niccolite). He was trying to extract copper from the kupfernickel. Instead, he found a silvery-white metal different from any known element. Miners always believed kupfernickel was simply an unusual copper ore. Cronstedt found that no amount of smelting would produce copper from it. Through careful analysis and observation, he became convinced he had discovered a previously unknown metal.

Where did its name come from?

Nickel was named after a mischievous German sprite, Nickel, after miners blamed him for being unable to extract any copper from what they thought was copper ore, but which actually contained nickel

Did You Know?

US nickel coins are only 25% nickel; the other 75% is copper.
Some hooks have a layer of nickel so that they oxidize in a slower rate.

Where is it found?

Nickel deposits occur deep within Earth’s mantle. Most nickel deposits are concentrated in the core. Smaller amounts are found in the crust, especially in ancient volcanic regions. Near-surface deposits often appear in tropical climates where long-term weathering has occurred. Beyond Earth, there are many iron–nickel meteorites, evidence of nickel’s abundance in the solar system.

Nickel is mined from igneous rocks such as peridotite and gabbro.

The world’s largest nickel mines are concentrated in a few key regions: Indonesia, the Philippines, and Russia’s Norilsk region. Major mines operate in Madagascar, Canada, and Australia.

What are its uses?

Nickel is used mainly to make stainless steel and high‑performance alloys. These alloys are strong, resist corrosion, and withstand extreme heat. They are used to “plate” other metals giving them a shiny, durable finish.

Nickel plays an important role in rechargeable batteries, especially in lithium‑ion and nickel‑cadmium systems which power many modern electronics as well as electric and hybrid vehicles.

Everyday uses include kitchen equipment, medical instruments, cutlery, and bathroom fixtures, where nickel plating provides a durable, attractive, corrosion‑resistant finish .

In the United States, all circulating coins contain nickel as part of their alloy composition .

Is it dangerous?

Nickel can be dangerous. Some people are allergic to nickel metal. It can cause allergic reactions. Contact with jewelry or watchbands can cause skin irritation and rashes.

Long-term exposure to some nickel compounds can harm the skin, eyes, and lungs. Airborne nickel dust or fumes in industrial settings may cause respiratory problems and increase cancer risk.

References

Biology Insights. (2025, August 29). Where can nickel be found in nature and everyday life? https://biologyinsights.com/where-can-nickel-be-found-in-nature-and-everyday-life/

National Minerals Information Center. (2012, March). Nickel statistics and information (Republished USGS Fact Sheet). U.S. Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/nickel-statistics-and-information

Chemical Safety Data Sheet. (2026, April 4). Nickel: Safety data sheet. https://www.chemicalbook.com/msds/Nickel.htm

Yahoo Video Search. (n.d.). Nickel element YouTube videos [Video search results]. https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&p=nickel+element+you+tube+videos