Non-oxide powders such as carbides, nitrides, carbides/nitrides and borides are obtained by reducing an oxide powder in a reducing atmosphere, and after or concurrently with the reduction, treating the reduced powder in a carbonizing atmosphere, a nitrogenizing atmosphere, a carbonizing and nitrogenizing atmosphere, or a boronizing atmosphere. As the above oxide powder, there is used a brittle material obtained by rapid cooling of a melted oxide. The non-oxide powders obtained are utilized as a hard component of cemented carbides and cermet. These powders are fine particles having a particle size of 1.0 .mu.m or smaller and a high purity.