One embodiment provides a method for fabricating a translucent phosphor ceramic compact comprising: heating a precursor powder to at least about 1000° C. under a reducing atmosphere to provide a pre-conditioned powder, forming an intermediate compact comprising the pre-conditioned powder and a flux material, and heating the intermediate compact under a vacuum to a temperature of at least about 1400° C. In another embodiment, the compact may be a cerium doped translucent phosphor ceramic compact comprising yttrium, aluminum, oxygen, and cerium sources. Another embodiment may be a light emitting device having the phosphor translucent ceramic provided as described herein.