A glass-ceramic material, particularly for elements in laser systems, and a method for preparing same. The glass-ceramic material may be used for an optical fiber for communication systems and laser systems. The glass-ceramic may include gahnite crystals and optionally .beta.-quartz-like solid solution, or a petalite-like crystals, spinel, and zirconia crystals. The elements may comprise a host material glass-ceramic, where the glass-ceramic is doped with appropriate ions.