nickel

Hard, malleable and ductile, silver-white, metallic element, atomic number 28, relative atomic mass 58.71. It occurs in igneous rocks and as a free metal (native metal), occasionally occurring in fragments of iron-nickel meteorites. It is a component of the Earth's core, which is held to consist principally of iron with some nickel. It has a high melting point, low electrical and thermal conductivity, and can be magnetized. It does not tarnish and therefore is much used for alloys, electroplating, and for coinage.

It was discovered in 1751 by Swedish mineralogist Axel Cronstedt (1722-1765) and the name given is an abbreviated form of kopparnickel, Swedish ‘false copper’, since the ore in which it is found resembles copper but yields none.