Results on exploring the possibility of improvement in physical, mechanical, and performance properties of Al2O3 based ceramics by use of chromium based thin coatings obtained with the aid of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition are presented. The coatings are assumed to heal various surface defects of the ceramic specimens, which leads to strengthening and toughening of the near-surface layer of the Al2O3 substrate. This results in retardation of initiation and propagation of Palmquist cracks during Vickers indentation and allows enhancement in microhardness of the near-surface layer. As a result, considerable improvement in tool lifetime in turning and milling carbon steel and gray cast iron is achieved when employing the coated ceramic indexable inserts.