[en] In order to develop promising materials for the Er³⁺-doped fiber amplifier, transparent glass ceramics containing hexagonal CeF₃ nanocrystals were prepared by melt-quenching and subsequent heating. The obvious Stark splitting in the absorption and emission spectra, the intensification of the 1.53 μm emission, and the prolongation of the Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 decay lifetime demonstrated the partition of Er³⁺ ions into the CeF₃ nanocrystals. Evidently, the efficient cross-relaxation between Ce³⁺ and Er³⁺, i.e., Er³⁺:⁴I_11/2+Ce³⁺:²F_5/2→Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2Ce³⁺:²F_7/2 led to the quenching of the upconversion and the enhancing of the desired Er³⁺ 1.53 μm emission. Based on the emission and absorption spectra, it was further calculated that the glass ceramic possesses broad bandwidth as that of the ZBLAN glass, and large emission cross-section close to the silicate glass, for the 1.53 μm emission.