Abstract It is shown that GdB 3 O 6 is an excellent host lattice to obtain efficient photoluminescent materials. For this purpose we need a sensitizer (S) of the Gd 3+ sublattice and an activator (A). Energy transport from S to A occurs via the Gd 3+ sublattice. The S and A ions were investigated separately in LaB 3 O 6 and GdB 3 O 6 for determination of the luminescence phenomena in single-doped GdB 3 O 6 . Here S = Sb 3+ , Bi 3+ , Ce 3+ and A = Eu 3+ , Tb 3+ . Thereafter, double-doped GdB 3 O 6 was studied. Results confirm the transport process S → Gd(→ Gd) n → A.