Submicronic barium and magnesium aluminates, useful as phosphors, are in the form of a liquid-phase suspension of substantially monocrystalline particles having an average particle size ranging from 80 to 400 nm; such aluminates are prepared by a process that includes: providing a liquid mixture containing compounds of aluminum and of other elements that are part of the aluminate composition; drying the mixture by atomization; calcining the dried product in a reducing atmosphere and wet-grinding this product.