Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is susceptible to CMAS (Calcium Magnesium Alumino Silicates) attack at high temperatures (>1200 °C) which limits its durability. New ceramic materials which can overcome these high temperature challenges are highly desirable. This work investigates the feasibility of depositing two variations of three ceramic layered thermal barrier coatings. The first variation comprised of yttria as the top ceramic layer with gadolinium zirconate (GZ) as the intermediate layer and YSZ as the base layer. The second variation comprised of Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) as the top layer with gadolinium zirconate as the intermediate layer and YSZ as the base layer. Microstructural analysis of the as sprayed three layered TBCs were performed by SEM/EDS. Columnar microstructures with a relatively dense top layer were obtained in both the variations. The porosity content of the TBCs was measured by water intrusion and image analysis methods. Phase composition of each layer of the as sprayed TBCs was analyzed using XRD. YAG showed an amorphous phase whereas GZ showed a cubic defect fluorite phase and tetragonal phase was observed in YSZ. In the case of yttria, monoclinic and cubic phases were observed. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.