Discovered : 1780 by N.L. Vauquelin Isolated in Paris, France Origin : The name is derived from the Greek ‘chroma’ meaning colour. Description : A hard, silvery metal with a blue tinge. Chromium plating was once used to give steel a shiny coating; the metal resists corrosion due to an impenetrable oxide layer on the surface. It is used in alloys and ceramics. Chromium is an essential element for humans because it helps us use glucose. We take in about 1 milligramme a day; foods such as brewer’s yeast, wheat germ and kidney are rich in chromium. Image : Hubcap reflections.