Pure and rare-earth-doped bismuth silicate (BSO) crystals were grown in the same condition by the modified Bridgman method. UV exited florescence and thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves were investigated. The emission spectra of BSO crystals doped with Ce3+, Y3+, Gd3+ and Yb3+ ions respectively are similar to that of pure BSO crystal with a band at about 480 nm, but Dy3+ and Eu3+ doped BSO crystals show sharp emission peaks. Especially, the emission intensity of BSO: Dy is much higher than that of pure BSO crystal. Pure and Y3+, Gd3+ and Yb3+ ions doped BSO crystals have similar TL glow curves but Eu3+ doped BSO crystal has extra strong peaks at 380 nm and 560 nm. No thermoluminescence is detected for BSO:Ce crystal, which implied BSO: Ce has large radiation hardness. It was suggested that Dy3+ ions replace some Bi3+ ions in BSO crystal and become new luminescent center. As a result, BSO: Dy crystal can be a potential excellent scintillator. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.