An artificial nail for placing onto a finger or a toe is connected to an integrated transponder chip (2), which is preferably placed on the underside of the artificial nail. The integrated transponder chip measures only a few millimeters in diameter and is ultra-thin. The artificial nail is placed onto the natural nail using a nail treatment system. The integrated transponder chip is designed for a near-field application and is intended to be active in a range of a few centimeters. Electromagnetic radiation activates the chip and the detected signals identify the latter. The person wearing such an artificial nail need only hold the artificial nail in the vicinity of a detector of the integrated transponder chip and the person is able to be identified for any desired application.