beta-spodumene glass-ceramics with a whisker-like microstructure were prepared from the following materials (in wt%): 64.5 SiO2, 18.0 Al2O3, 4.2 Li2O, 4 ZrO2, and 8 MgF2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that phase separation in the base glass leads to the formation of a primary crystal phase of MgF2 that promotes the formation of spherical beta-spodumene. Whisker spodumene crystals surrounded by spherical crystals are observed at 720 degrees C after 1 h, and the whisker crystals grow at the cost of spherical crystals with increasing temperature and time. The flexural strengths of the glass-ceramics reach a maximum of 228 MPa after heat treatment at 850 degrees C for 1 h.