In this work, we report the growth and spectroscopic properties of high-quality Er: Yb:LuPO4 and Er:Yb:Ce:LuPO4 crystals which are grown by the high-temperature solution method for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The maximum polarization absorption cross sections and the full-width of half-maximum of the Er:Yb:LuPO4 are (3.32 x 10(-20) cm(-2), 17 nm) and (2.41 x 10(-20) cm(-2), 19 nm) for sigma- and pi-polarization, respectively. The up-conversion luminescence spectra and near-infrared luminescence spectra of both Er:Yb:LuPO4 and Er:Yb:Ce:LuPO4 crystals were recorded under 980 nm pumping. The results exhibit that the up-conversion energy losses are remarkably reduced in Er:Yb:Ce:LuPO4 crystal. Consequently, the luminescence intensity in the waveband of 1.5-1.6 mu m of Er:Yb:Ce:LuPO4 is increased by two times compared to Er:Yb:LuPO4. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.