Energy transfer has been studied between dicyanoaurate(I) luminescent nanocluster donor ions and Tb3+ and EU3+ acceptor ions in aqueous solutions with steady-state luminescence at room temperature. The f-f transition emission intensities of Tb3+ ions can be sensitized and enhanced by varying the dicyanoaurate(I) donor ion's concentration, due to the formation of different excimer and exciplex nanoclusters. However, the f-f transition emission intensities of EU3+ ions are not enhanced but the donor's emission is quenched thorough a non-radiative charge transfer pathway. The Stern-Volmer constants show different quenching efficiencies for different nanoclusters of the donor. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.