New near IR to near UV upconversion (UC) materials are required for the development of solid state lasers pumped by laser diodes. Two materials are reported: an air-stable and efficient UC material emitting mostly in the yellowish-green and a very promising UC compound, Ba2ErCl7, which is being further characterized spectroscopically. The general requirements for UC materials are briefly discussed, and the preparation of Ba2ErCl7 detailed. The intensity of individual emission bands is compared for known and new UC materials.