Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a small particle size borate lamp phosphor by preparing a dispersed suspension containing particles of a borate lamp phosphor precursor, adding a sufficient amount of boric acid to the dispersed suspension to provide for the mutual isolation of the borate lamp phosphor precursor particles in the boric acid, drying the mixture under conditions suitable for retaining the precursor as a dispersed phase in a matrix of boric acid, communicating the dried mixture, firing the comminuted mixture under conditions suitable for converting the precursor to a small particle size borate lamp phosphor product in a matrix of boric oxide while maintaining the mutual isolation of the product particles, and contacting the resulting mixture with water to solubilize substantially all of the boric oxide and separate the small particle size borate lamp phosphor product.