The paper studies the influence of the synthesis technology on the luminescent and optical characteristics of transparent Ce doped yttrium aluminum garnet ( YAG ) ceramics synthesized in two ways. The transparency of samples with a size of Ø10×2 mm reaches 60 to 81 % in the 500-900 nm wavelength range. The effect of intermediate synthesis steps on the optical characteristics and final concentration of the Ce3+ activator in the YAG ceramic has been described and discussed