The present invention is directed to phosphors and white light emitting diodes and a method for preparing a Ce3+ doped calcium silicate phosphor represented by a chemical formula of (Ca1-yMy)2-x-zSiO4:Ce3+x,N+z, wherein x is 0<x≦0.5, y is 0≦y≦0.5, z is 0<z≦0.5, M is at least one metal selected from Mg, Sr and Ba, and N is at least one metal selected from Li, Na, K and Rb, as well as white LEDs produced comprising the same. The phosphor of the present invention can be excited using conventional InGaN-based blue light emitting diodes, as well as GaN-based near-UV light emitting diodes to emit light across the visible spectrum.