A kind of far infrared radiation ceramics was prepared by using iron ore tailings, CaCO3 and SiO2 as main raw materials, and Ce as additive. The result of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the sample exhibits excellent radiation value of 0.914 when doping 7 wt.% Ce. Ce4+ dissolved into iron diopside and formed interstitial solid solution with it sintered at 1150 degrees C. The oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ caused by Ce4+ led to a decrease of crystallite sizes and enhancement of Mg-O and Fe-O vibration in iron diopside, which consequently improved the far infrared radiation properties of iron ore tailings ceramics. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.