A light emitting device in which a primary light generator, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode, is operable to emit a primary light that is received by a body of wavelength converting material. A portion of the primary light is absorbed by the body of wavelength converting material and is emitted as secondary light. The wavelength converting material contains phosphor nano-particles and larger phosphor particles. The phosphor nano-particles prevent transmission of primary light while the larger phosphor particles provide efficient light conversion.