An aluminate is a compound containing an oxyanion of aluminum. Many aluminates are found in nature. A large number of phosphors that are used in various applications, such as scintillation detectors, optical thermometry, longlasting phosphorescence, solid-state lighting, solid-state lasers, upconversion, bioimaging, and plasma display panels, are based on aluminate formulae. This review focuses on the synthesis and characteristics of such phosphors. The conventional as well as novel methods of synthesizing these phosphors are reviewed. The emphasis on commercially important aluminate phosphors is discussed.