Eu3+-doped triple phosphate Ca8MgR(PO4)(7) (R = La, Gd, Y) was synthesized by the general high temperature solid-state reaction. This phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and emission spectra. XRD and FT-IR analysis indicated that Ca8MgR(PO4)(7) (R = La, Gd, Y) crystallized in single-phase component with whitlockite-like structure (space group R3c) of beta-Ca-3(PO4)(2). Under the excitation of UV light, the phosphors show bright red emission assigned to the transition (D-5(0) -> F-7(2)) at 612 nm. The crystallographic sites of Eu3+ ions in Ca8MgR(PO4)(7) (R = La, Gd, Y) host were discussed on the base of site-selective excitation and emission spectra, luminescence decay and its host crystal structure. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.