Many luminescent gold(I) compounds are known, but in the vast majority of gold(III) complexes reported until recently, room temperature emission in fluid solution does not occur. As for other d(8) and d(6) metals, the key to obtaining gold(III) compounds with favorable luminescence properties seems to be the use of cyclometalating ligands that ensure very strong ligand fields. Recent progress in this emerging research field is discussed, and where appropriate, comparison to isoelectronic platinum(II) complexes and their photophysical properties is made.