The (Y0.94-x-yAlxGdyEu0.06)BO3 (0 <= x <= 0.04 and 0 <= y <= 0.4) phosphors were single-phase with a hexagonal vaterite crystal structure. The (Y0.94-x-yAlxGdyEu0.06)BO3 phosphor powders showed smooth, regular, and spherical morphology. The emission intensity of the Al- and Gd-co-cloped (Y0.74-xAlxGd0.02Eu0.06)BO(3)and (Y0.925-yAl0.015GdyEu0.06)BO3 phosphors was much higher than that of Al-free (Y0.74Gd0.2Eu0.06)BO3 and Gd-free (Y0.925Al0.015Eu0.06)BO3 phosphors, respectively. This means that the simultaneous addition of Gd and Al to yttrium borates was desirable for improving their photoluminescent properties. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.