Quantum dots are of interest because of their unique size-dependent electronic properties. In particular, CdTe has attracted special attention because of its large exciton Bohr diameter. In this communication two new room-temperature, soft-chemical procedures are described for the preparation of CdTe quantum dots. The size and photoluminescence properties of the particles were also investigated, the two preparations being found to give particles with different optical properties, even when the particles are the same size.