A translucent ceramic containing a main component represented by Ba{M.sub.xB1.sub.yB2.sub.z}.sub.vO.sub.w (wherein B1 is a trivalent metallic element, B2 is a quintavalent metallic element, M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Sn, Zr and Hf, x+y+z=1, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.45, 1.00.ltoreq.z/y.ltoreq.1.04, 1.00.ltoreq.v.ltoreq.1.05, and w is a positive number required to maintain electroneutrality), or Ba{M.sub.x(B1.sub.sB3.sub.1-s).sub.yB2.sub.z}.sub.vO.sub.w (wherein B3 is a bivalent metallic element, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.9, 1.00.ltoreq.z/y.ltoreq.2.40, 0