The Ca3Gd2(BO3)(4):Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction. Luminescence properties of Ca3Gd2(BO3)(4):Eu3+ are investigated by using the VUV-UV excitation and emission spectra together with decay curves. The phosphors could be efficiently excited giving the strong emission at 612 nm under the VUV-UV excitations of the strong host-related band at 188 nm and CTB of Eu3+-O2- at 250 nm. The analysis of the decay curves of the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) einission reveals that the weak energy transfer occurs between Eu3+ pairs in Ca3Gd2(BO3)(4):Eu3+. Under UV excitation the concentration quenching of the D-5(0) -> F-7(J) emission depends on excitation wavelengths. The energy transfer mechanism among host, Gd3+ and Eu3+ ions is discussed in relation to the luminescence decays and Eu3+ concentrations. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.