Nd3+-doped GeS2-In2S3-CsCl transparent chalcohalide glass ceramics containing In2.67S4 nanocrystals are prepared by melt-quenching and subsequent heating. The influence of Nd3+ doping on the In2.67S4 crystallization, the microstructure, as well as the transmission and photoluminescence spectra of glass ceramics are investigated. It is proposed that Nd3+ ions act as nucleating agents for In2.67S4 crystallization in the sample with relative low Nd3+ concentration, while a part of Nd3+ ions are believed being expelled from the crystallized regions and aggregate on the surfaces of the crystallites during crystallization when Nd3+ concentration is increased, which suppresses crystal growth, resulting in nano size and homogeneous distribution of grains, and subsequently remarkable blue-shift of the optical absorption edge of the glass ceramic. Evidently, the microhardness of chalcohalide glass is strengthened after the precipitation of In2.67S4 nanophase. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.