YAl3(BO3)(4) (YAB) crystals free of UV absorption were grown for the first time from the Al2O3-Li2O-B3O3 flux by the top seeded solution growth (TSSG) method in a non-oxygen atmosphere. The as-grown YAB crystals show good UV transparency with the cut-off wavelength located at 170 nm. The largest size crystal is up to 30 x 30 x 25 mm(3) with a weight of 46.3 g. X-ray rocking curves reveal that the crystals are of good crystalline quality. The optical properties including refractive indices, Sellmeier equations and SHG phase-matching properties are also presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.