Coated abrasive particle for use in vitreous bond matrices, which particle is coated with between 1 and about 50 coating layers. Each coating layer ranges in thickness from between about 0.1 and 50 microns. Each layer has the composition, MCxNyBzOw, where, M represents one or more of Ti, Si, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re or a rare earth metal, and w, x, y, and z, each range from between 0 and 3. The outermost coating layer has a concentration of oxygen that is higher by a factor of at least about 2 than the layer in direct contact with the abrasive particle.