Kupfer means copper and the term nickel in German referred to Satan or the devil. Discovery: Baron Axel Fredrik Cronstedt discovered nickel in 1751 in kupfernickel (niccolite). Properties of nickel. Nickel is a hard, malleable, ductile metal with ferromagnetic properties. It is silvery white and can conduct heat as well as electricity. The sulfates and oxides of metal are commonly used in many products.