The effect of BaF 2 flux in Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3+ (YAG:Ce) formation was investigated. Phase transformation of Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG) was characterized by using XRD, SEM, and TEM-EDS, and it was revealed that the sequential formation of the Y 4 Al 2 O 9 (YAM), YAlO 3 (YAP) and Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG) in the temperature range of 1000-1500 o C. Single phase of YAG was revealed from 1300 o C. In order to find out the effect of BaF 2 flux, three modeling experiments between starting materials (1.5Al 2 O 3 − 2.5Y 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 − BaF 2 , and Al 2 O 3 − BaF 2 ) were done. These modeling experiments showed that the nucleation process occurs via the dissolution-precipitation mechanism, whereas the grain growth process is controlled via the liquid-phase diffusion route. YAG:Ce phosphor particles prepared using a proposed technique exhibit a spherical shape, high crystallinity, and an emission intensity. According to the experimental results conducted in this investigation, 5% of BaF 2 was the best concentration for physical, chemical and optical properties of Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3+ (YAG:Ce) that is approximately 10-15% greater than that of commercial phosphor powder.