A metal halide lamp (10) includes a discharge vessel (12) which may be formed of a ceramic material. The vessel defines an interior space (16). An ionizable fill (17) is disposed in the interior space. The ionizable fill includes an inert gas, mercury, and a halide component. The halide component includes an alkali metal halide, an alkaline earth metal halide component, and optionally at least one of a rare earth halide and a Group IIIA halide. The alkaline earth metal halide component includes at least one of a barium halide and a strontium halide. At least one electrode (18, 20) is positioned within the discharge vessel so as to energize the fill when an electric current is applied thereto. The lamp having a wall loading, when energized, which is sufficient to maintain an active tungsten halogen cycle.