The garnet type Ce_xY_3-xFe₅O₁₂ doped with Ce^₃₊ was prepared by an optimized sol-gel method (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3; Ce:YIG) crystal, the optimal solution is to obtain crystals with no derived impurities and high magneto-optical properties by pre-sintering and sintering in a wide temperature range of 900-1400 ℃. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the synthesis temperature of the crystal at 890 ℃. XRD results show that the crystal lattice constant varies from 12.37241 ? to 12.4121 ?, and the impurity phase CeO₂ appears when Ce > 0.2. SEM analysis shows that the grain size of Ce:YIG increases with the increase of sintering temperature and Ce^₃₊ content, and its size distribution ranges from 0.257 to 6.52 mm, which is the maximum size of YIG crystal obtained at present. All Ce: YIG samples were ferromagnetic at room temperature, with saturation magnetization varying from 23.47 to 28.10 emu/g. The permeability of Ce_0.1Y_2.9Fe₅O₁₂ crystal sintered at 1200 ~1300 ℃ is as high as 3.68 ~ 3.90. According to the relationship between Faraday rotation Angle and permeability, the crystal sintered in this temperature range is likely to obtain the best Faraday rotation performance.