Shaped single crystals of Bi:Lu3Ga5O12 (Bi = 0.039, 0.083 and 0.1 mol%) were grown by the micro-pulling-down method. Measured optical absorption spectra show an absorption band round 285 nm and emission band at 315-320 nm ascribed to the lowest energy 6s(2) -> 6s6p transition of Bi3+. Temperature dependencies of emission spectra intensity and luminescence decay time were studied. The results are discussed in the light of previously published data obtained for other Bi-doped compounds. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.