Nacre-like composites were prepared from alumina platelets with a relatively simple process. Different compositions were tested, with and without a glass phase and alumina nanoparticles and with zirconia particles in monoclinic phase or stabilised in tetragonal phase. The direct use of FAST makes it possible to obtain a microstructure with the platelets oriented in a preferential direction. This anisotropy allows crack deviation to be generated in the tested specimens.