At least here in the U.S. we're all familiar with nickel the metal thanks to the word having been co-opted to describe our 5-cent coin. However, nickels are actually an alloy of 75% nickel and 25% copper. For a stretch of years Canadians used to have nickels that were fully pure nickel but the rising price of the commodity eventually saw them seek cheaper alternatives.

Although not normally used in its pure form most steel alloys contain significant amounts of nickel to provide enhanced hardening and resistance to corrosion. Despite what most sources say, nickel is actually not "silvery white". It has a very slight but definitely visible brown tinge.

This sample of nickel is refined to about one contaminating atom per 1,000. Shapes and weights vary somewhat but are normally spherical in the 3-15 gram range.

CAS 7440-02-0