Nickel

Nickel properties at a glance

Geology & background

Nickel is refined from nickel-bearing ores and then used as pure metal, plating, or as an alloying element in many manufactured materials.

Nickel became important for coinage, plating, stainless steel, batteries, and high-performance alloys.

How to identify Nickel

• Look for a silvery metal with a slightly warm gray cast.
• Nickel plating can be bright and smooth on hardware or jewelry.
• Nickel can be magnetic in some forms.
• Common objects include coins, plated hardware, batteries, and alloy parts.

Where Nickel is found

Nickel is manufactured, refined, recycled, or traded worldwide; verify grade, purity, and origin from markings, documentation, or provenance when available.

How much is Nickel worth?

Value depends mostly on the object, purity or alloy grade, weight, brand, condition, markings, and whether it is jewelry, hardware, a coin, a tool, or a raw material sample.

Common uses

• Plating
• Coins
• Stainless steel
• Batteries
• Jewelry alloys

Interesting facts

• Nickel is used in many stainless steels and superalloys.
• Nickel plating gives objects a bright, corrosion-resistant surface.
• Some people develop skin irritation from nickel-containing jewelry or metal parts.

Care & safety

Nickel can scratch, dent, tarnish, corrode, or lose its surface finish depending on the alloy, coating, and use wear.

Skin sensitivity. Nickel can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions for some people, especially in jewelry or worn metal parts.

Related rocks & minerals

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