Abstract: Addition of from about 1.0 to about 15% by weight of a vanadium oxide or boric oxide promoter to a zirconia (ZrO.sub.2) powder promotes rapid densification at temperatures below about 1300.degree. C. For example, a density of greater than 92% of estimated theoretical density can be achieved by addition of 4% by weight of ZrV.sub.2 O.sub.7 to monoclinic ZrO.sub.2 and sintering at 1100.degree. C. for about 24 hours. Sintering at temperatures below about 1150.degree. C. avoids the destructive monoclinic/tetragonal phase transformation and provides for better control of microstructure and composition. A density of greater than 98% of estimated theoretical density can be achieved by addition of from about 2 to about 5% by weight of a boric oxide promoter to stabilized cubic ZrO.sub.2 and sintering at about 1200.degree. C. for about 4 hours.