Disclosed is a method of making particle which comprise hydrous trivalent chromium oxide having the empirical formula CrO.sub.2 H intimately associated with a pulverulent carbonaceous substrate. A composition is formed which comprises an aqueous solution of water-soluble hexavalent chromium compound and a reducing agent in an amount sufficient to reduce the hexavalent chromium compound to the hydrous trivalent chromium oxide and to reduce the hydrous trivalent chromium oxide to metallic chromium. The reducing agent comprises a water-insoluble pulverulent carbonaceous substrate. Chrome metal can be made by heating the particles at a temperature of about 1100.degree. to about 1400.degree. C.