Gd:NBW crystals are grown by modified Bridgman method for the first time. The Gd segregation coefficient is calculated. Photoluminescence and the light yield of the Gd:NBW crystal are measured. The main elements and the impure ions in the NBW crystal are respectively analyzed by EPMA and GDMS. All these results show that the Gd:NBW crystal is a promising scintillator material. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.