What does the element nickel look like?

Pure nickel is a metal that is silver in color. Nickel can be easily seen in modern coins, which are coated by a nickel and copper alloy to give them their silver tint.

Nickel's most common usage is in the creation of stainless steel because nickel is a hardy metal which resists corrosion. Stainless steel is created by mixing nickel with chromium. Its ability to resist corrosion makes it ideal for usage in objects exposed to salt water, such as pipes in desalination plants. As a harder metal, nickel is also used to protect softer metals and is a common component of armor. Nickel can also be used to color glass green.