Abstract: A method of making a ceramic retroreflective element having enhanced strength and increased retained reflectivity. The method of the present invention comprises forming retroreflective elements by the following steps:a) providing glass flakes;b) coating said glass flakes with a first barrier layer yielding coated glass flakes;c) providing optical elements;d) optionally coating said optical elements with a second barrier layer;e) blending said optical elements and said coated glass flakes;f) heating said optical elements and said coated glass flakes to spheroidize said flakes while agitating said optical elements and said coated glass flakes;g) further heating said optical elements and said spheroidized glass flakes to partially embed said optical elements in said spheroidized flakes while agitating said optical elements and said spheriodized flakes; andh) cooling said spheroidized flakes having partially embedded optical elements.