Laser glass compositions are disclosed that provide laser articles with increased efficiency, the compositions comprising TeO2, La2O3 and ZnO in certain molar amounts, as defined by certain areas set forth in a ternary diagram of the FIGURE, the laser glass compositions also including an effective lasing amount of Nd2O3. Also disclosed are methods of making highly efficient glass laer articles, such as rods, discs and the like, the methods including the steps of: 1. MELTING LASER GLASS BATCH-FORMING MATERIALS TO PROVIDE MOLTEN GLASS COMPRISING CERTAIN MOLAR AMOUNTS OF TeO2, La2O3 and ZnO, the molten glass capable of being a host for an effective lasing amount of Nd2O3; 2. forming a glass laser blank from the molten glass; and 3. FABRICATING A LASER ARTICLE FROM THE GLASS BLANK, THE ARTICLE HAVING INCREASED LASING EFFICIENCY. Also disclosed is the new use of a TeO2/La2O3/ZnO glass host composition as a glass laser article in which the proportions of TeO2, La2O3 and ZnO are present in certain molar amounts as above-described, and in which the glass composition is a host for an effective lasing amount of Nd2O3, the new use including the steps of: 1. FORMING A LASER ARTICLE FROM THE GLASS COMPOSITION ABOVEDESCRIBED; 2. PUMPING THE LASER ARTICLE TO CAUSE AN ENERGY INVERSION; AND 3. PASSING MONOCHROMATIC LIGHT THROUGH THE ARTICLE TO CAUSE STIMULATED EMISSION AT A WAVELENGTH OF ABOUT 1.06 MICRONS.