a b s t r a c tThe silicates Ca 3 Sc 2 Si 3 O 12 , Ca 3 Y 2 Si 3 O 12 and Ca 3 Lu 2 Si 3 O 12 , both undoped and doped with Pr 3 + ions, have been synthesized by solid-state reaction at high temperature. The luminescence spectroscopy and the excited state dynamics of the materials have been studied upon VUV and X-ray excitation using synchrotron radiation. All doped samples have shown efficient 5d-4f emission upon direct VUV excitation of 5d levels, but only Ca 3 Sc 2 Si 3 O 12 :Pr 3 + shows luminescence upon interband VUV or X-ray excitation. The VUV excited emission spectra of Ca 3 Y 2 Si 3 O 12 :Pr 3 + and Ca 3 Lu 2 Si 3 O 12 :Pr 3 + show features attributed to emission from two distinct sites accommodating the Pr 3 + dopant. The decay kinetics of the Pr 3 + 5d-4f emission in Ca 3 Sc 2 Si 3 O 12 :Pr 3 + upon VUV excitation across the band gap are characterized by decay times in the range 25-28 ns with no significant rise after the excitation pulse. They appear to be faster upon X-ray irradiation than for VUV excitation. Weak afterglow components are attributed to defect luminescence.