We present X-ray diffraction patterns, soft Ca, Co, and Fe L-2,L-3 absorption spectra, magnetic susceptibility, and temperature dependent magnetization measurements in order to characterize ABaM(4)O(7) solid solutions A = Y, Ca; M = Co, Fe). Cobalt ions are in 2 + and high-spin 3 + oxidation states. In the iron-doped solid solutions, Fe ions were found to be trivalent. Doping with Fe ions leads to a decreasing amount of Co3+ ions. Magnetic properties of the studied samples showed a spin-glass behavior. Negative values of the Curie-Weiss temperatures indicated the predominance of antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. The freezing point of the magnetic moments is 51 K and does not vary with the amount of Fe doping. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.