The synthesis of gadolinium aluminum perovskite (GAP) in under 1 min via microwave irradiation is presented here. Pellets of the thus-formed GAP transform into a translucent ceramic of very high fracture toughness upon sintering in the microwave oven. In contrast, conventional heating yields an opaque material. The Figure shows the microstructure of microwave-sintered, polished, and etched GAP.