Frequency upconversion luminescence in erbium-doped PbGeO3–PbF2–CdF2-based transparent glass ceramics (TGC) under 980nm infrared excitation is investigated. Upconversion emission signals around 410, 525, 550, 660, and 850nm were generated and identified as due to the 2H9/2, 2H11/2, 4S3/2, and 4F9/2 transitions to the 4I15/2 ground-state, and 4S3/2–4I13/2, respectively. The erbium ions excited-state emitting levels were populated via a combination of stepwise ground-state absorption (GSA), excited-state absorption (ESA), and cross-relaxation processes. The results also disclosed that both blue (410nm) and red (660nm) upconversion emission signals in the transparent glass ceramic sample presented twice as much intensity as compared to its vitreous counterpart.