Chromium is a chemical element with the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in group 6. It is a steely-grey, lustrous, hard, and brittle transition metal. Chromium is the main additive in stainless steel, to which it adds anti-corrosive properties.

Where is chromium usually found?

Chromium is found mainly in chromite. This ore is found in many places including South Africa, India, Kazakhstan and Turkey. Chromium metal is usually produced by reducing chromite with carbon in an electric-arc furnace, or reducing chromium(III) oxide with aluminium or silicon.

How is chromium found on Earth?

Where is chromium found on Earth? Chromium is only found rarely as a free element in nature. It is mostly found in ores scattered throughout the Earth's crust where it is about the twenty-fourth most abundant element. The main ore that is mined for the production of chromium is cromite.