The CaO−MgO−Al₂O₃−SiO₂ (CAMS) glass ceramics were fabricated with a fly ash and a tailing from Bayan Obo West Mine, China, by a conventional melting method. The effects of CeO₂ content and crystallization temperature on the optimization of crystallization, microstructure, bending strength and the Vickers hardness of the CAMS glass ceramics were investigated. The results show that Ce⁴⁺ ions can partially substitute Ca²⁺ ions in augite, and the primary crystalline phase can be formed in the samples. The addition of 0.6% (in mass fraction) CeO₂ content to the glass ceramic decreases the crystallization temperature of augite and increases its crystallinity. The dendrite structure of augite crystals becomes more interlocked. This morphology change is mainly due to the increases of the bending strength and the Vickers hardness of the sample. When CeO₂ content further increases, the segregation Ce⁴⁺ ions and the later formation of Ca₂Ce₈(SiO₄)₆O₂ second phase in the residual glass between augite dendrites can hinder the growth of augite. The glass ceramic sample with 0.6% CeO₂ content that is crystallized at 870 ℃ for 2 h has the optimum mechanical properties(i.e., the bending strength and the Vickers hardness are 234 MPa and 6. 982 GPa, respectively).