The present invention provides a
cerium oxide-based
abrasive ensuring high removal rate, less generation of scratches, high-precision polished surface with small
surface roughness, and a safe, simple and low-cost production process. Further, the present invention provides a method for producing such an
abrasive. The method of the present invention comprises (a) adding a precipitant to an aqueous
cerium-containing light rare-earth
salt solution to precipitate a light rare-earth salt, thereby obtaining a first
slurry containing a light rare-earth salt particle; (b) adding a fluorinating agent to a
slurry containing a light rare-earth salt particle to react the light rare-earth salt with the fluorinating agent, thereby obtaining a second
slurry containing a light rare-earth
fluoride particle; (c) mixing the first slurry and the second slurry to obtain a mixed slurry; and (d)
drying and firing the mixed slurry, and a
cerium oxide-based
abrasive obtained by this method. The abrasive of the present invention is produced by the method of the present invention.