Magnesia-alumina precursor with different non-stoichiometric mole ratios of Al2O3: MgO spinel system, were synthesized using semi-colloidal route. Sintering of the compacted powders was carried out at different temperatures (1400-1550°). Magnitude of densification of the sintered compacts was measured by various physicomechanical methods. The degree of non-stoichiometry in the spinel composition strongly affected the sintering process.