A translucent alumina composite containing 1 vol% LaAl11O18, prepared by the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) method, displays both high translucency and high fracture toughness. Its total forward transmission at 600 nm is 75% (thickness 1 mm), and its bending strength and fracture toughness are estimated to be 574 +/- 15 MPa and 5.9 +/- 0.46 MPa center dot m(0.5), respectively. Its high translucency is due to the similarity of refractive index between the additive phase (LaAl11O18) and the matrix (alumina).