Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a silicate material and a method for forming such material. According to a particular embodiment of the method, water is added to reactants including a metal salt, an oxidizer, a silicon source and a fuel source. The reactants and water are heated at a temperature between about 800° C. and about 1200° C. Heating initiates a combustion reaction and produces a nanocrystalline powder. In more particular examples of the method, the nanocrystalline powder is subsequently densified, such as by sintering. The material formed by the method is, in some cases, a lutetium-containing material suitable for use as a scintillator.