The present invention relates to an optical part holding member made of ceramic and a production method thereof, and provides an optical part holding member made of ceramic such that a sintered body after processes of degreasing and sintering has small dimensional changes over dimensions of a mold, and a production method thereof. An example includes a lens holder to hold an optical part, made of a silicon nitride ceramic base composite material produced through a process in which silicon and nitrogen are reacted to be nitrided and contains silicon carbide and an iron compound.