An environmental barrier coating for high temperature ceramic components, the barrier coating comprising: a bond coat layer; an optional silica layer; and at least one transition layer including: from 85% to 99% by volume of the transition layer of a primary transition material comprising a rare earth disilicate, or a doped rare earth disilicate; and from 1% to 15% by volume of the transition layer of a secondary material selected from the group consisting of Fe 2 O 3, rare earth iron oxides, Al 2 O 3, mullite, rare earth aluminates, rare earth aluminosilicates, TiO 2, rare earth titanates, Ga 2 O 3, rare earth gallates, NiO, nickel silicates, rare earth nickel oxides, Lnb metals, Lnb 2 O 3, Lnb 2 SiO 5, borosilicate glass, alkaline earth rare earth oxides, alkaline earth rare earth silicates, and mixtures thereof, wherein "Lnb" refers to a sub-set of rare-earth metals having a melting point below 1450°C; wherein the transition layer is applied to the component as a slurry comprising at least an organic solvent, the primary transition material and at least one slurry sintering aid, and wherein a reaction between the slurry sintering aid and the primary transition material results in the transition layer comprising a porosity of from 0% to 15% by volume of the transition layer. a bond coat layer; an optional silica layer; and at least one transition layer including: from 85% to 99% by volume of the transition layer of a primary transition material comprising a rare earth disilicate, or a doped rare earth disilicate; and from 1% to 15% by volume of the transition layer of a secondary material selected from the group consisting of Fe 2 O 3, rare earth iron oxides, Al 2 O 3, mullite, rare earth aluminates, rare earth aluminosilicates, TiO 2, rare earth titanates, Ga 2 O 3, rare earth gallates, NiO, nickel silicates, rare earth nickel oxides, Lnb metals, Lnb 2 O 3, Lnb 2 SiO 5, borosilicate glass, alkaline earth rare earth oxides, alkaline earth rare earth silicates, and mixtures thereof, wherein "Lnb" refers to a sub-set of rare-earth metals having a melting point below 1450°C; wherein the transition layer is applied to the component as a slurry comprising at least an organic solvent, the primary transition material and at least one slurry sintering aid, and wherein a reaction between the slurry sintering aid and the primary transition material results in the transition layer comprising a porosity of from 0% to 15% by volume of the transition layer. from 85% to 99% by volume of the transition layer of a primary transition material comprising a rare earth disilicate, or a doped rare earth disilicate; and from 1% to 15% by volume of the transition layer of a secondary material selected from the group consisting of Fe 2 O 3, rare earth iron oxides, Al 2 O 3, mullite, rare earth aluminates, rare earth aluminosilicates, TiO 2, rare earth titanates, Ga 2 O 3, rare earth gallates, NiO, nickel silicates, rare earth nickel oxides, Lnb metals, Lnb 2 O 3, Lnb 2 SiO 5, borosilicate glass, alkaline earth rare earth oxides, alkaline earth rare earth silicates, and mixtures thereof, wherein "Lnb" refers to a sub-set of rare-earth metals having a melting point below 1450°C; wherein the transition layer is applied to the component as a slurry comprising at least an organic solvent, the primary transition material and at least one slurry sintering aid, and wherein a reaction between the slurry sintering aid and the primary transition material results in the transition layer comprising a porosity of from 0% to 15% by volume of the transition layer.