By 1-5 mol-% of Ce3+, Eu3+, Tb3+ or Er3+ activated mixed metals garnets (Y3Al5-xInxO12 and Y3Al4.75Cr0.25O12) were prepared by simple sol-gel process. Formation, microstructure and luminescence properties of these samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultra violet-visible light absorbance (UV-VIS) technique. It was demonstrated, that the luminescence properties of Ln(3+) were slightly dependent on the amount of indium and dopant concentration in the Y-3(Al,In)(5)O-12:Ln(3+) compounds, while the emission of Ln(3+) was absolutely quenched and the emission of Cr3+ was observed in the Y(3)A(4.75)Cr(0.25)O(12):Ln(3+) samples. In addition, energy transfer from Tb3+ or Ce3+ to Cr3+ ions in co-doped Y3Al5O12 is also discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.