The present invention provides a fluorescent substance represented by the
following general formula: (A.sub.1-xB.sub.x).sub.2Si.sub.2O.sub.7,
wherein A is at least one member selected from the group consisting of
Gd, Y, Lu and La, B is at least one member selected from the group
consisting of rare earth elements other than A and x is a numerical value
specified by the formula: 0