K2Gd1-xZr(PO4)(3):Eu-x(3+)(0.02 <= x <= 0.1, x is in mol.%) were prepared by solid-state reaction method and their photoluminescence properties were investigated in ultra-violet(UV) and vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) region. The phenomenon of visible quantum cutting through downconversion was observed for the Gd3+-Eu3+ couple in this Eu3+-doped K2GdZr(PO4)(3) system. Visible quantum cutting, the emission of two visible light photons per absorbed VUV photon, occurred upon the 186 nm excitation of Gd3+ at the (6)G(J) level via two-step energy transfer from Gd3+ to Eu3+ by cross-relaxation and sequential transfer of the remaining excitation energy. The results revealed that the efficiency of the energy transfer process from Gd3+ to Eu3+ in the Eu3+-doped K2GdZr(PO4)(3) system could reach to 155% and K2GdZr(PO4)(3):Eu3+ was effective quantum cutting material. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.