Method of making platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive particles, wherein the said platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive particles are based on alpha alumina, comprise a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein both surfaces are separated by a randomly shaped sidewall having a thickness (T) between 20 μm and 500 μm, and have a crystal structure with an average crystal size between 100 and 300 nm, the method comprising the steps of - preparing a dispersion of α-alumina hydrate in acidified water comprising α-alumina seeds having a particle size of less than 300 nm; - gelling the dispersion by addition of aqueous solution of zirconium and magnesium salts; - forming the gel to a layer of homogeneous thickness by any convenient method such as extrusion, molding, pressing, spreading or coating; - drying the shaped gel to obtain particulate abrasive grain precursor material; - crushing and screening the particulate grain precursor material to obtain platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive precursor particles; - optionally calcining the abrasive grain precursor particles; and - sintering the abrasive grain precursor particles at temperatures below 1450 °C to obtain platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive particles. are based on alpha alumina, comprise a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein both surfaces are separated by a randomly shaped sidewall having a thickness (T) between 20 μm and 500 μm, and have a crystal structure with an average crystal size between 100 and 300 nm, the method comprising the steps of - preparing a dispersion of α-alumina hydrate in acidified water comprising α-alumina seeds having a particle size of less than 300 nm; - gelling the dispersion by addition of aqueous solution of zirconium and magnesium salts; - forming the gel to a layer of homogeneous thickness by any convenient method such as extrusion, molding, pressing, spreading or coating; - drying the shaped gel to obtain particulate abrasive grain precursor material; - crushing and screening the particulate grain precursor material to obtain platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive precursor particles; - optionally calcining the abrasive grain precursor particles; and - sintering the abrasive grain precursor particles at temperatures below 1450 °C to obtain platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive particles. - preparing a dispersion of α-alumina hydrate in acidified water comprising α-alumina seeds having a particle size of less than 300 nm; - gelling the dispersion by addition of aqueous solution of zirconium and magnesium salts; - forming the gel to a layer of homogeneous thickness by any convenient method such as extrusion, molding, pressing, spreading or coating; - drying the shaped gel to obtain particulate abrasive grain precursor material; - crushing and screening the particulate grain precursor material to obtain platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive precursor particles; - optionally calcining the abrasive grain precursor particles; and - sintering the abrasive grain precursor particles at temperatures below 1450 °C to obtain platelet-like randomly shaped abrasive particles. <EOS>