Rare-earth-ions-doped apatite-based phosphors for near ultra-violet excitation have been studied. Ca-5(PO4)(3)Cl: Eu3+ and Ca-5(PO4)(3)Cl: Sm3+ phosphors are synthesized by using the solidestate reaction method sintering at 1100 degrees C and 1300 degrees C, respectively. Optical properties of these phosphors are characterized by measuring the absorption, excitation, and emission spectra at room temperature. Strong red-orange emissions corresponding to the D-5(0) -> F-7(0) transition of Eu3+ and the (4)G(5/2) -> H-6(7/2) transition of Sm3+ from the near ultra-violet excitation are observed. Ca-5(PO4)(3)Cl: Eu3+ and Ca-5(PO4)(3)Cl: Sm3+ are red-orange emitting phosphors and the difference in emission intensity as varying the sintering temperatures is observed in both phosphors. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.