Abstract: A ceramic comprising a matrix of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2 (partially or fully stabilized) or mixtures of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and ZrO.sub.2 with strontium aluminate plate-shaped grains distributed throughout the matrix results in a ceramic with high toughness, high strength and good hardness. SrO/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 molar ratios between 0.02 and 0.20 result in in-situ formation of plate-shaped grains approximately 0.5 .mu.m in thickness and 5.0 .mu.m in breadth in tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic matrices. The in-situ formation of strontium aluminates allows high volume loading of platelets to occur and high toughness is achieved without the loss of strength. High alumina compositions have the added benefit of higher strength, lower thermal expansion, higher modulus and higher thermal conductivity than zirconia ceramics with comparable toughness.