Size-tunable silica nanotubes have been fabricated using a novel reverse-microemulsion-mediated sol-gel method (see Figure). This facile approach is adaptable to large-scale fabrication, and the diameter of silica nanotubes is tunable through the use of different apolar solvents. The photoluminescence spectrum of the nanotubes displays three emission bands, including a stable and strong blue light emission at 435 nm.