Na2O-SiO2-ZrO2 glasses of Sm3+ ions with and without V2O5 are characterized by spectroscopic and optical properties. The XRD and EDS spectra of the glass samples reveal an amorphous nature with different compositions within the glass matrix. The Infrared and Raman spectral studies are carried out and the existence of conventional structural units are analyzed in the glass network. The ESR spectra of the glass samples have indicating that a considerable proportion of vanadium ion exists in V4+ state. The optical absorption spectra of these glasses are recorded at room temperature, from the measured intensities of various absorption bands the Judd-Ofelt parameters Omega(2), Omega(4) and Omega(6) are calculated. The photo-luminescence pectra recorded with excited wavelength 400 nm, five emission bands are observed; in this the energy transfer probability takes place between Sm3+ and V4+ ions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.