We measured the simultaneous, time-resolved spectra of photon emission, electron emission, and frictional force during the abrasion single crystal MgO with a diamond stylus in vacuum. phE and EE signal can be detected with millisecond resolution during the wear of a single crystal MgO substrate with a diamond stylus. The emissions and wear behavior are strong function of surface condition, load and stylus velocity. Measurement on annealed vs as-received material show that the luminescence is primarily due to deformation, and the electron emission is primarily due to fracture. These emissions provide insight into the processes responsible for catastrophic failure of ceramics in wear applications.