Using nitrate precursors, a novel microwave assisted citrate gel process for the preparation of nanocrystalline yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) phase has been developed. Synthesis of single phase polycrystalline YAG was achieved at temperatures as low as 600 degrees C using the microwave methodology whilst conventional approaches currently available require >= 1000 degrees C. The microwave prepared YAG powder was characterised using X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, TEM and EDAX. The microwave method was found to yield YAG particles of similar to 40 nm diameter, whilst the conventional route yielded 150 nm particles. Also substantial morphological differences were observed between the YAG particles and their agglomerates produced by the different processing methods.