In this work we present photoluminescence characterization of rare earth ion-doped nanoporous aluminum oxide synthesized by the anodization process in diverse solvents. We find that the luminescence of doped aluminum oxide strongly depends on the synthesis medium. When synthesized in an inorganic acid only rare earth fluorescence is present, whereas nanoporous aluminum oxide synthesized in organic solvent presents two strong unexpected luminescence emission lines, one at 429 nm and the other at 491 nm, with quite long decay time when excited with long wavelength ultraviolet light. The results suggest that light simulation of primary colors and chromaticity control of the emitted light can be done by the a combination of different rare earth ions present in the sample. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.