[en] The influence of the nature and concentration of the β-diketone and the nature of the solvent on the characteristics of the luminescence of solutions of curium (III) β-diketonates was studied. In a cuvette with optical thickness 1 cm, the brightest luminescence is observed at a concentration of the ligands of about 10^-4 M (since in this case the degree of complexing of curium is rather high, but the absorption of light by the excess of the ligand is still relatively low). Just as in the case of chelates of the lanthanides, the best results are obtained with fluorinated β -diketones, including phenoyltrifluoroacetone. Luminescence of curium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (( Cm³⁺) = 10^-8 - 10^-6 M) is observed both in water (pH = 4.5-9) and in organic solvents; moreover, in both cases the fluorescence is appreciably enhanced in the presence of a neutral ligand - 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-dipyridyl. In organic solvents immiscible with water, curium chelates are conveniently extracted from the aqueous phase in the form of adducts with a neutral ligand (best of all with phenanthroline). Such extracts give the brightest luminescence and can be used for highly sensitive determination of curium (10^-10 M or less). Optimum conditions of extraction: pH = 6-7, concentration of ligands about 10^-4 M. The luminescence of curium in the extracts is not affected by the presence of americium (III) in a concentration up to 10^-4 M. The quantum yeilds of the luminescence of organic solutions of curium chelates are estimated at tens of percent