ZnTe nanocrystals (NCs) were successfully grown in a UV transparent, vitreous substrate synthesized by fusion and then annealed. The formation of dot structures, emitting in the UV-range, was investigated by optical absorption (OA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. Dot growth was evidenced by an OA band red-shift with increasing annealing time. Average sizes of the ZnTe dots were determined using the effective mass fit model with OA spectra and comparing the results with estimates from AFM images. A UV-transparent PZABP vitreous matrix was used because it allowed ZnTe NC growth and displayed typical Raman active phonon modes. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.