A sizeable single crystal of YFeO3 (YIP) with the dimensions of 19 x 15 x 15 mm(3) has been successfully grown by the edge-defined film-fed growth method. Thermal magnetic analysis shows that Curie temperature of as-grown YIP crystal is about 363.5 degrees C. The hardness of YIP crystal was measured as 900 VDH, equivalent to about 7.1 moh. Moreover, the optical transmittance of as-grown YIP crystal can be significantly enhanced if this crystal was annealed at 700 degrees C in oxygen atmosphere. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.